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Review: Hermitude’s New Album Is Here To Warm Up Winter

We’ve haven’t had new music from Hermitude since 2012. For over three years they’ve kept us waiting – but finally, their highly-anticipated fifth LP is here.

So why did it take them so long to release Dark Night Sweet Light?

“I think it was the touring and the recovering after each tour,” Hermitude told Triple J. “We spent so much time on the road so we didn’t really have heaps of time to lock down in the studio. It meant a lot of the tunes and ideas were penciled out on the road and then we’d come back to Sydney and flesh them out.”

A new “more vocal” sound and an argument with one their vocalists also contributed to the delay. But now that it’s here, we can put that in the past. It was totally worth the wait.

From their upbeat, synthesised opening track Hijinx, we can already see how much their hard work has paid off. The track is a fast-paced eruption of triumph. The electric feel of the track is amazing, providing a piercing sound that will pump you up for what’s to come. That fast-paced feel continues through the album, until reaching a hurdle at Hazy Love. True to its name, vocalist Chloe Kaul’s sensual voice takes us through the fuzzy love story. The medley swirls around words, creating a dream-like feel to it. The summer vibes are strong in this track so if you miss the heat, turn this one up. As I kept listening to it, this one slowly became one of my favourites on the album.

Hermitude’s singles, Through The Roof and The Buzz, are obvious stand-outs as well. We’ve already sung the praises of The Buzz, which is a jubilant track that should be pumped aloud for all to hear. Through The Roof has an opening trumpet hook, which echoes a Latin rhythm. The medley that follows is utter perfection, raising the bar for the rest of the tracks.

Searchlight was the track that needed to be changed, due to problems with the original vocalist. Luckily, Yeo stepped in to finish off their masterpiece. Searchlight (Reprise) ended the album on a high note. It’s lighter than the first one and produced with fewer layers, to slowly let the listener down after this rollercoaster ride of emotion. Yeo’s vocals make it seem like he was always their first choice. He meshes well with the smooth medley, but still leaves the focus on the music. The light piano brings us to the end of a seriously great album.

Here’s some advice. Buy it, turn up the volume and just lose yourself in the music. Hermitude will quickly become one of your new obsessions.