Hovvdy announce new album with title-track "True Love"

14 July 2021, 10:28 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

(Hovvdy)

Austin duo Hovvdy are back with news of their forthcoming album True Love, and have unveiled the title-track as the lead outing.

"True Love" is the first new material from Hovvdy since last year's "I'm Sorry" single, and follows April's debut solo album Imaginary People from the duo's Charlie Martin.

Martin says of the title-track, "For each Hovvdy record there’s always been a song that kinda shocks my system, kinda jolts me into a brand new and inspired place. This was definitely that song for me. I remember writing it and feeling a rush of excitement - crying a lot honestly. it feels so good to express love and appreciation when you really fucking mean it. but it’s hard to feel worthy of love, of something so rare, and all we can do is try to measure up - that’s what that last part is all about."

True Love will follow Hovvdy's 2019 album Heavy Lifter, and features co-production from Andrew Sarlo (Bon Iver, Big Thief).

Hovvdy say of the album recorded at Sarlo's LA studio in 2020, "This collection of songs feels to us like a return to form, writing and recording songs for ourselves and loved ones. Spending less energy consumed with how people may respond freed us up to put our efforts into creating an honest, heartfelt album."

Martin expands, "Sarlo heard things in our individual production styles that we might otherwise feel self-conscious about, but he would lean into them. We knew we could come in with a very stripped-down acoustic guitar song and it would end up being expansive and vast. I felt really confident in letting this record be as tender and beautiful as we could make it, knowing there would always be a layer of darkness in there."

Will Taylor adds, "It’s about resiliency and appreciating the little moments, even when the big picture can be daunting. I’m proud of how we let the songs and the feeling of the record do the work for us. Even in sombre moments, the joy behind the music is noticeable, and that’s what makes it special to me."

Tracklist: