Private Lives

***The debut album from Private Lives is a bold proclamation—HIT RECORD. From their humble beginnings as a quarantine bedroom project to the full-fledged rock'n'roll unit they've become, Private Lives set up ten tracks and strike 'em down in one smooth release. Part of the current wave of Montréal underground talent alongside Tha Retail Simps, Hélène Barbier, and Liquid Assets (to name a few)—Private Lives debuted in 2022 with their scorching self-titled EP on Feel It. Those five cuts are stitched into PL's vinyl debut, re-sequenced with new material that finds the four piece at the height of their collective powers. With Jackie Blenkarn's cool and confident vocals riding high in the mix, the group hammer out an impressive debut full length anchored by the strength of "Trust In Me," "Misfortune," and the title track, "Hit Record." There's not a moment of hesitation across these twenty-seven minutes. Whether it's the overarching simplicity of the r'n'r/garage-mined guitars, underlying pop charm, or deeper post-punk melodies—HIT RECORD—is both cathartic and familiar—a truly impressive combination of heart-meets-cool. As Private Lives wind the album away in the psychotic build of "Dark Spots," the Quebec quartet leave us with a captivating debut that begs to be spun again and again. (STREET DATE - 7/14/2023)