Hovvdy - I’m Sorry Single Review

The way in which the voices move within each other, overlapping within this jungle of sounds, creates such a powerful climactic effect.

I’m surprised I’m not familiar with Hovvdy, an Austin based duo who have been quietly releasing some of the most delicate pop music of 2020. For those of you who haven’t heard Hovvdy, they’re the two-man band of Charlie Martin and Will Taylor, who met once at a baseball game while touring with entirely separate bands. Coming together, they’ve been putting out music since 2016 and they’re still going in 2020 with singles “Runner” and “I’m Sorry”.

The latter of these, “I’m Sorry”, features elements reminiscent of popular early 2000s rock such as “Teenage Dirtbag” or “Gives You Hell”, though they’re wholly re-contextualised for a modern sound. The shuffling drums throughout create a smoky atmosphere that floods the track with a humidity as the vocals swell here and there. Another welcome addition is the minimal guitar presence which is noticeable in a ghostly background capacity that refuses to overstay its welcome. While this sound is largely drowned out, when it’s noticeable it adds an additional layer of complexity to the track even as it crescendos into a complex cacophony towards the climax. The track ends in such a beautiful way. The way in which the voices move within each other, overlapping within this jungle of sounds, creates such a powerful climactic effect.

Overall, I’m thoroughly impressed with this track despite its minimalist sound. I only wish that there was something more punchy permeating the track, though given the tone that Hovvdy seem to be striving for here I completely understand why the music has such a strongly subdued feeling. As such, what we’re left with is a tightly put-together track that bodes well for future releases.