---

When Australian shoegaze artist Harriette Pilbeam was initially contemplating the direction of her sophomore album, she felt a little lost. General dos and don’ts came to mind, sure: don’t do more of the same; do be more considerate of a live setting; don’t do such an extreme 180 that all everyone can do is recoil in shock. But nothing felt totally certain during that in-between period. 

That last “don’t” might come as a relief to many fans. Because if you know and enjoy Pilbeam’s sound — perfected under the stage name Hatchie — you wouldn’t want pivots to be too drastic either. She makes the kind of inviting music that makes you feel like you’re woozily floating through the inside of a kaleidoscope on a pink cloud, seamlessly uniting the textures we associate with Lush, Cocteau Twins, Slowdive, and Kylie Minogue in a way that’s distinctly her own. Pilbeam’s atmospheric aesthetic already felt confidently formed on her breakthrough first EP, 2018’s Sugar & Spice, and even more so on 2019’s Keepsake, her subsequent debut album. Both brought critical acclaim, a busy touring schedule, and ample space for introspection amid the whirlwind. 

Read the full feature on 425.