HAIVER CRAFT A SINCERE AND STINGING TALE OF TRANSFORMATION ON ALBUM DEBUT ‘THE GHOST DANCE’
Haiver (credit: Simon Murphy)
ALBUM REVIEW | HAIVER – THE GHOST DANCE by Rachel Puk
This week Haiver release their 12 track debut album. The record details an emotional terrain of grief, self-examination with hope seeping through the cracks of it all. In his new project, Billy Kennedy crafts a tale of transformation for old fans and new. Frightened Rabbit fans grasp onto Kennedy’s loving vocals whilst a freshness washes his new project and sound.
“The Ghost Dance was written at a time where I experienced life face-on and dealt with a lot of demons. The record built over the years and a sound developed as my confidence and self-belief started to sink in.” Billy Kennedy
The titular intro-track knocks you straight into a hopeful dance with quick drums and grasping riffs as the Scottish clouds begin to clear this April.
Haiver seems to highlight a beauty in the hell that is grief – a polished record that is sincere and stings. Track ‘Funeral’ is mellow, yet a beautifully cathartic breakdown carries its repetitive refrains. Then, the sound switches as we transition to ‘Better’ ft. Devin Casson. This track wastes no time reaching satisfying harmonies as Casson’s voice playfully dances with Kennedy’s, adding depth and nuance to the delicate record.
‘Tortured’ uplifts the album with its folk-style storytelling and more complex lyricism in the first verses, then returns to the albums repetitive style choruses: “You are, just a little boy broken, I pray for a love with your heart wide open.”
One of the stronger tracks ‘Crime’ is satisfying from start-to-finish. Featuring a heart-poking lead progression whilst Kennedy smoothly sings over the humming bass, he shares that this track was the first he wrote after Frightened Rabbit.
“It became the influence for the whole album. Having an outlet for all the shit I was struggling with became very therapeutic.” Billy Kennedy
‘Ta!’ the exit instrumental-only track is short and sweet. The tongue-in-cheek titled tack is a lullaby to finish up the evening story after ‘Fight Me‘ which grapples with bittersweet hindsight.
Kennedy’s new project is raw and real, resonating with any listener. The lyrics are repetitive but there’s a sweetness in its simplicity. The band’s talent is well seasoned and experienced, and this project is a humble rendition of everything they have achieved.
The Ghost Dance is OUT NOW and available to buy or stream HERE.
Celebrating the album’s release, Haiver are performing at Assai Records this weekend:
Or you can catch the band alongside Bikini Body, Fright Years and Helicon at Edinburgh’s La Belle Angele on 21st August as part of Wide Days Made in Scotland gigs: Tickets HERE.
