Song of the Day: Hater - Mental Haven

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Mental Haven” by Hater, from their 2017 album, You Tried, on PNKSLM Records.

Hater - Mental Haven (MP3)Hailing from Malmö, Sweeden, Hater crafts gentle pop-rock that embraces melancholy laced nostalgia instead of wallowing in it. The quartet use guitar swaddled in reverb and lead woman Caroline Landahl’s yearning vocals to create gentle soundscapes bursting with feeling. Their debut EP, Radius, was a consistent source of quality music, but Hater has proved they can reach new heights with their debut LP, You Tried, as single and song of the day "Mental Haven" finds the band displaying increased confidence. The songwriting is cleaner, the arrangement is as clever as ever and Landahl's crooning takes a more prominent place in the front of the mix, better sharing the groups knack for crafting haunting, nostalgia-coated ear-worms. Every word Landahl projects through the hazy instrumentation is felt as well as heard, and the group have certainly created a mental haven like non-other.

Currently, Hater doesn't have any current U.S. tour dates announced, but keep an eye on their Facebook page in case that changes. In the meantime, check out the video for their Radius track "First Time" below.