“She sounds like an alliance of Mazzy Star and Slowdive – now imagine that, and it gets better.” Die quote van Americana UK in onze altijd overvolle mailbox (thanks) trok meteen de aandacht. Het stond bovenaan in het persbericht over de nieuwe plaat van de Catalaanse zangeres Joana Serrat. De titel is Hardcore For The Heart, verschijningsdatum 11 juni en ze nam ‘m op in Texas met onder andere gitarist Joey McClellan (Midlake, John Grant), bassist Aaron McClellan (Josh T. Pearson), drummer McKenzie Smith (St. Vincent, Sharon Van Etten, First Aid Kit) en keyboardspeler Jesse Chandler (Mercury Rev). Het resultaat is, volgens het persbericht, “a painfully honest and moving album, which grows on you with each hearing as new and rich complexities are discovered.”
Mooi woorden allemaal, maar eerste single Pictures is het beste overtuigingsmateriaal. “Pictures talks about disillusion and the failure of communication,” vertelt Serrat er over. “The song takes place in Montréal and it’s about a broken promise. It was inspired by the fact I didn’t let myself be angry with that disappointment. I built a wall and let my frustration and sadness grow in this space but never expressed it. That took a toll on me and by the time I realized it, it was too late.”
