Hawks do not share - break even/to be loved

Hawks Do Not Share

Break Even/To Be Loved
self-released; 2013

4.0 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

Hawks Do Not Share are a three-piece band comprised of George Lewis III (vocals/bass), Jeremy Wilkins (keyboards, programming, backing vocals), and Britt White (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals) that released their first EP entitled Break Even back in Sept 2013 and this week will be following up with their second EP entitled To Be Loved.

Both EPs have three songs but not one song amongst them is a dud. The music they make is excellently crafted dark wave synth pop that fans of bands like Portishead, Broadcast and Lali Puna will embrace. The sounds are unique throughout and usually combine shards of white noise with electronic elements often implemented in a percussive canvas. The vocals are tailor-made for the music and have androgynous qualities that add complexity to the shades of the music. Most effective is that the vocals contain a subdued melancholy that sounds like they are yearning for a catharsis. 

The Break Even EP starts out with the title track, which doesn't waste much time setting up an ominous atmosphere. Synths sound like ghostly voices and the piano, which is covered in reverb-sounds only adds to the spirits in the air. Jarring yet effective percussive elements enter adding dissonance against the voice that claims, “it might be too late for me to break even.” The first song showed the band has a knack for creating an atmosphere without sounding gimmicky or going overboard. 

The second track is smothered in layers of white noise yet has a distinctive deep kick drum. Perhaps the most unique aspect of the track is 1:44 in the track when a clean guitar and goes into a dancy “Phoenix” type guitar riff, which is a contrasting to the white noise but works.

“Young Profligate” is the best track on the EP. The vocals are front and center on this track and it sounds all the better for it. A warbly synth provides a bed of warmth as an electronic beat provides the energy. The song has an unconventional breakdown before breaking back into the verse, which this time around has more instrumentation and sounds fantastic. Every component works better together than in isolation and creates an engaging concoction of sound. 

To Be Loved follows a similar structure to Break Even. The first track “To Be Loved” creates a dichotomy between the white noise, which reminds me of nostalgia and electronic components that embrace technology. The track has a human touch above else, which matters the most.

One of the innovators of combining electronic music with rock is Notwist. They dabbled into the symbiotic relationship with Shrink and then cemented their status as pioneers with their classic Neon Golden. It makes a whole lot of sense that Hawks Do Not Share decided to cover “One With The Freaks” as both groups embrace technology while making it sound as organic as a guitar. The cover holds quite faithful to the original with the biggest difference being in the vocal delivery. 

The EP ends with “You Only Like The Beginnings Of Things,” which is the most melodic song from either EP. It also covered a good amount of melancholy while sounding pretty and nostalgic. I’m a sucker for that combo and they pull it off beautifully.

I can only see good things to come from this young band. The writing is above average, they never overdo it and are meticulous when it comes to creating aesthetically inventive waves of sound.

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