The burning Marshall cabinet that opens the video for “Lose It Again” might imply that Australian dreampop queen Hatchie is entering her glam rock era, but it’s a feint as it abruptly cuts to Hariette Pilbeam riding in the back of a pick-up truck through the countryside, albeit with the pre-immolation 4×12″ in tow.

After the New Wave swerve of 2022’s Giving The World Away, it sounds like Hatchie is trading in some of that record’s nocturnal fluorescence of her last record for the sunshine that made her Keepsake and Sugar & Spice so beloved. Of coming full circle, Pilbeam said:

I wanted to see my limitations as strengths that inform my style. My last album ended up being really dark and introspective and that is one part of me, but there was this whole other side that I felt like I wasn’t expressing. I’m a hopeless romantic and a very silly person, sometimes to a fault.

Harriette Pilbeam, Hatchie
Hatchie / Liquourice @ Bandcamp

She adds:

This album feels like the culmination of everything I’ve wanted to do with this project since I first started it. I focused on the finer details of the trajectory of love found and lost, inspired by my favourite tragic romance films. I’ve never felt more aligned with an album and can’t wait to share the experience with everyone.

Harriette Pilbeam, Hatchie
Hatchie collaborates with Jay Som and Stella Mozgawa on forthcoming album, Liquorice @ The Line Of Best Fit

The new record, Liquorice, features Warpaint’s Stella Mozgawa on drums and was produced by Jay Som’s Melina Duterte alongside Pillbeam’s longtime collaborator (and husband) Joe Agius; it’s out November 7.

In an interview with Check Check, Hatchie talks about how the decision to enlist Duterte happened:

I have loved her music for years but honestly hadn’t thought of working with her until it was suggested when I was looking for a producer. We got on a video call and she seemed super relaxed and warm, which was comforting. Joe [Agius] and I mentioned we were huge fans of her song “Superbike” in particular, and she said that song was influenced by Hatchie, which was a crazy full-circle moment.

Hariette Pilbeam, Hatchie
Hatchie on her new album ‘Liquorice’: ‘I just care less about what others think’ @ Check Check