The Hives were among my least-expected comebacks in 2023, but their tear back into public consciousness with The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons was pleasantly surprising! The resurrection was a success, and now they've returned once again with plans for their second album of the 2020s, The Hives Forever Forever the Hives, out August 29 via Play It Again Sam.
Okay, first, get a load of the names attached to this project: punk/hardcore legend Pelle Gunnerfeldt and Mike D of Beastie Boys produced the album, which was recorded between Yung Lean's and ABBA's Benny Andersson's studios, and includes some sort of oversight from Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age. The press release pretty casually describes it as a "magnum opus," in which "every single song [is] a single, every single single a hit" — and based on its lead single "Enough Is Enough," I wouldn't be surprised.
"Who in their right mind would start a song like this? No one but the Hives," the band shared in said release. "They are here again sooner than you expected and they have had enough of everyone at this point. Hence the title. Dig? Dig."
Dig, I do.
The Hives have already proved themselves to be above reheating their own nachos. And while that discourse remains firmly focused on innovation, it all but tosses out the tenets of refining one's craft. A tight two minutes and 49 seconds makes a case for refinement and conciseness on "Enough Is Enough," which rips hard — like, we're talking Beyblade hitting the arena with sparks fucking flying — right out of the gate.
Not five seconds into the track, and I'm transported to that mid-aughts, The O.C.-soundtrack, hitting-Sunrise-to-buy-White Blood Cells feeling that I think the kids still yearn for, even if they can't quite grasp it in the Phones Era. Or at least it's what my FYP will have me believe; the people want to sweat, get off the wall, feel free, and dance without the oppressive gnawing of cameras burning holes in the back of their heads.
It seems this band of Swedish rock dudes know it: "Everyone's a little fucking bitch," Howlin' Pelle Almqvist shout-sings atop pharmaceutical amphetamine-driven hi hats, "And I'm getting sick and tired of it."
So please, play this loudly. Maybe move your body. And perhaps quit being such a little fucking bitch while you're at it.
The Hives Forever Forever the Hives:
1. (introduction)
2. Enough Is Enough
3. Hooray Hooray Hooray
4. Bad Call
5. Paint a Picture
6. O.C.D.O.D
7. Legalize Living
8. (interlude)
9. Roll Out the Red Carpet
10. Born a Rebel
11. They Can't Hear the Music
12. Path of Most Resistance
13. The Hives Forever Forever the Hives