Haints

HAINTS - VERSTÄRKER
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Verstärker is the debut EP from the band Haints; a name which I’m proud to say I researched to find the meaning of in a show of effort that is unparalleled for me. The word ‘haint’ means “ghost, apparition or lost soul”. Bloody hell- now I’m terrified, thanks a lot guys. Why couldn’t you have named your band ‘Faceboook’? Imagine the hits you’d get by accident alone! Or maybe I’m taking away any meaning from the name...my parents have told meI tend to ruin things. The debut EP by Haints is a five track download, just under 14 minutes long in length. So straight away I’m thinking it’ll be a quick and easy listen at the very least. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a glass half empty kind of person, Buddhism can shove it. But I was wrong. Easy to listen to? Yes. Quick? Hell no. I hadn’t accounted for the amount of times I’d have to replay this EP. One thing I know is it’s a fantastic piece of work well worth listening to again and again.
The EP opens with the track Dopplegangers (another concept which frightens me, well done guys). t’s a brilliant opening tune. What particularly caught my attention was the drop before the chorus kicks in; the anticipation it builds whilst keeping you hooked in with a change in pace is pretty unique. The song itself gives me flashing pictures that makes me think this song would be well suited to a video montage of a road trip- and not some nonsense Justin Bieber (allegedly) drunken road trip either, a proper road trip with some good friends and camping and boozing it up. In fact, I
can imagine travelling with fellow Haints fans and feeling proper hip whilst I listen to their newest work, stating how much various things terrify me. Jesus, I’m 24 years old.
After such a strong opener, Verstärker continues on with a flurry of shorter tracks than Dopplegangers, at which my mind protested about- much like certain parts about my anatomy, I felt they were too short. But upon reflection, that’s the genius of this EP. The songs are short and leave you wanting more, bringing in the next track in with a red carpet already laid out from the previous one, welcoming it like a musical queen (Galileo, Figaro!). What really strikes me throughout the album is how well the vocals and instruments compliment each other. It’s obvious that the band members have a clear vision of what they want their sound to be and seem to be happy with where they have got to. As well they should be- the EP constantly reminds you how key each instrument is, which is a rarity for a band. The sound is incredibly consistent right up to the last track, Kurma, which, despite blatantly being Karma being misspelt (probably), is a bit of a change in sound and consistentcy to the EP. I must say this; before I got to this last track, I was unsure as to what my favourite song from Verstärker
was. But as soon as Kurma came on, it was a clear stand-out for me. I need to clarify this- I am in no way putting down the rest of the EP; it’s amazing, even without the finale. But what bumped the EP up from amazing to one of the best EPs I’ve heard for a long time was Kurma. It went in a slower, perhaps more thoughtful direction; at the very least adding a song that shows off their versatility.
In conclusion- if you haven’t already realised through my numerous ass kissing compliments, I loved Verstärker. It’s catchy tunes are joined by amazing vocals, brilliant instrumentation, lyrics that are out of this world and the right to brag that you know an amazing band who haven’t made it big quite yet. In fact, don’t do that, you’ll look like an idiot hipster. I’m very glad that Independent Music News is shining a light on Haints; it seems the publicity is well deserved.
By Stephen Billington - Independent Music News