Initiation

Haunted Hearts are the project of married couple Dee Dee Penny (of Dum Dum Girls) and Brandon Welchez (of Crocodiles). Together they have a versatile idea of what pop music can be. Obviously influenced by The Jesus & Mary Chain's wall of unforgiving sound, Haunted Hearts work on the variations possible within that approach. “Up Is Up (But So Is Down)” sides with Spacemen 3 and their raw, often grating sense of the hypnotic hook. “Something That Feels Bad Is Something That Feels Good” rushes in with a sense of urgent euphoria that makes the track’s entire four minutes feel necessary, right down to the final melodic keyboard flourish that lingers long enough for “Johnny Jupiter” to hitch onto its waning notes. At just eight songs, Initiation is the perfect length for listeners to want more. It suggests that every track is essential—and, in fact, they are. “House of Lords” jacks up the synths and leaves more room to hear the vocal harmonies. “Love Incognito” brings Dee Dee frontward in the mix. “Strange Intentions” rocks with purpose.