Hatchie – ‘Liquorice’ Review: Shoegaze Reinvented for an Endless Summer Soundtrack

Embrace the dreamy shoegaze vibe as Hatchie’s ‘Liquorice’ blends lush guitars and hazy pop to create the perfect endless summer soundtrack.

A New Chapter in Hatchie’s Dreamy Soundscape

If you’ve followed Hatchie, aka Harriette Pilbeam, from the start, you’ll know she’s been steadily evolving her dreamy pop sound with every release. Her latest album, Liquorice, feels like a love letter to shoegaze’s shimmering, reverb-heavy magic, wrapped up in a breezy, sun-soaked package. It’s as if she’s taken the best bits of Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, and Cocteau Twins, then spun them into a fresh, inviting sound that feels both nostalgic and new.

Pilbeam has spoken about Liquorice as a record where she finally feels free — creatively and personally. This album isn’t about catchy pop hooks or tight pop structures like her 2022 release, Giving the World Away. Instead, it luxuriates in fuzzed-out guitars and swirling layers, a dreamy reinvention of shoegaze that feels made for those endless summer days.

Hatchie embraces a sun-kissed dream pop aesthetic on ‘Liquorice’.

Sunlit Vibes and Sonic Exploration

It’s no coincidence that Liquorice is arriving in late spring down under in Australia, where Pilbeam grew up. The album was born between Brisbane and Melbourne, then recorded at Jay Som’s home studio in Los Angeles — talk about a global creative journey! The end result is a thoroughly sun-kissed record with a hazy feel that stretches out like an everlasting summer afternoon.

Stylistically, Hatchie casts a wide net on Liquorice. Where her previous album flirted with disco and new wave, this one leans into dreamy, experimental pop and rockier textures. Tracks like "Only One Laughing" and "Sage" experiment with chirpier, playful pop sounds, while songs like "Wonder" bring in crunchier, My Bloody Valentine-style guitar distortion paired with melodies that channel Britpop sensibilities.

Dream Pop’s Duality: Soft and Sharp

Pilbeam’s been crafting dream pop for years now, with influences proudly worn on her sleeve since her 2018 debut EP Sugar & Spice. She has a sharp grasp of the genre’s two sides: on one hand, the ethereal, formless bliss of Cocteau Twins-style dreaminess; on the other, more structured, melody-driven approaches reminiscent of groups like The Sundays.

Take "Anchor" — it’s pure Cocteau Twins, flowing effortlessly into a blissed-out haze. Then there’s "Lose It Again," a standout track that tips its hat to dream pop’s periphery with its thoughtful nods. It’s this balance that makes Liquorice so compelling — a record comfortable with its influences but never trapped by them.

Hatchie – Sage (Official Video)

Lyrics That Glide Through Heart and Haze

One of the things that really hits home on Liquorice is how seamlessly Hatchie’s lyrics flow with her sound. There’s a bittersweet longing wrapped in swooning romance across the album, sometimes both feelings swirling within the same song. The gorgeous "Part That Bleeds" is a clear love letter to Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy, capturing those fleeting moments of connection and introspection.

Escapism through infatuation is a recurring theme, too — a dreamy escape hatch that feels so universal. Yet, the album’s closer, "Stuck," snaps us back to reality with a poignant line:

“Seems I’m stuck with these pathetic dreams.”

It’s a perfect bittersweet farewell to the reverie that Liquorice conjures.

The Essence of Hatchie: A Dream Pop Peak?

Now, does Liquorice mark Hatchie’s peak? That depends on what you expected. Fans who loved the ambitious sonic diversity of Giving the World Away might find this album a bit more restrained. But honestly, this is the sound where Pilbeam shines brightest. She doesn’t just copy her shoegaze heroes; she channels them with empathy and nuance, carving out her own dreamy niche.

In many ways, Liquorice might be the finest dream pop record this year — a textured, tender, and timeless album that feels like the soundtrack for endless summer days and late-night musings.

Album Details

‘Liquorice’ album art showcases Hatchie’s dreamy aesthetic.

• Record Label: Secretly Canadian
• Release Date: November 7, 2025

“Seems I’m stuck with these pathetic dreams.”
— Harriette Pilbeam, from “Stuck”

FAQ

• What makes ‘Liquorice’ different from Hatchie’s previous albums?
  It embraces a more shoegaze-inspired sound with reverb-heavy guitars and fewer pop hooks, focusing on dreamy textures.
• Which artists influenced Hatchie’s sound on this album?
  Key influences include Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, and The Sundays.
• Where was ‘Liquorice’ recorded?
  It was written in Brisbane and Melbourne and recorded at Jay Som’s home studio in Los Angeles.
• What themes does Hatchie explore lyrically on ‘Liquorice’?
  Bittersweet longing, swooning romance, escapism through infatuation, and moments of self-awareness.
• When was the album ‘Liquorice’ released?
  November 7, 2025, under the Secretly Canadian label.

If Hatchie’s dreamy, sun-washed sound resonates with you, why not bring that vibe home? Shop your favorite album cover poster and celebrate Liquorice in style at our store. It’s a perfect way to keep the endless summer feeling alive.