A sophomore album of healing and coming to terms

2014 was a tremendous year for HAERTS with the release of their self-titled album which received praise from the media and the festival circuit alike. The anticipation for Nini Fabi and Benny Gebert to release their sophomore album caused a bit of a stir in their world. The anxiety of new music prolonged the release of New Compassion as the band moved from New York City to the Hudson Valley to get in touch with their most raw emotions. Five years later, the German indie-pop group is ready to show the world New Compassion.

The 11-track album started in a dark place and was made with truly no intention of reaching the public. Each track plays to different emotions from both Fabi and Gebert and combines familiar elements from their first album with new instruments and sounds. Stand out tracks like “Fighter” and “Signs” combine classic indie guitar with tambourine and shakers. With a common theme of self-care and relationships, the title track becomes an anthem of sorts to the hopeless romantic.

“No Love For The Wild” and “The Way” both combine acoustic sounds and synths to create a multi-layered rhythm that brings the listener in and sinks them deep into Fabi’s harrowing vocals. “Matter” becomes a ’70s style hit instantly with its drawn-out high notes and seamlessly incorporated instruments. The album comes to an end with songs like “Your Love” and “Healing.” Combining bass-heavy rhythms and wind-blowing vocals, each track resembles the HAIM sisters and their style of soft rock and empowerment.

The intense response the band received from their first album caused more than just happy emotions. After dealing with personal hardships, moving and making life-changing decisions, HAERTS proves that professional hardships and personal hardships are just as critical on the mind. After a four-year gap from releasing music, Fabi and Gebert let their fans back into their world with open arms and open hearts. New Compassion proved to have many high notes and some low, but HAERTS show their creative genius and spirit once more in a sobering way.