Album Review: Lande Hekt - 'Going To Hell'
Back in 2018, I was lucky enough to stumble across Fixed Ideals, the second album from Brighton punks Muncie Girls. Though it was a deeply personal record for the band, specifically for lead singer Lande Hekt, it was on that resonated heavily with me, going on to become my Album of 2018 and a record I revisit regularly.
Since then, I’ve followed both Muncie Girls and Hekt’s solo work, and though this is a review on the latter, specifically, her new LP Going to Hell, it’s impossible to mention one without the other, especially when looking at Hekt’s progression as a songwriter.
It’s a progression that’s evident across her entire catalogue. From Muncie Girls’ debut From Caplan to Belsize, right through to Going to Hell, as a songwriter Hekt has gone from strength to strength, despite of, or perhaps in spite of, her struggles with her mental health, and it’s these struggles that have formed the backbone to much of lyricism, until now.
Where the aforementioned Fixed Ideals, as well as more recent debut solo offering Gigantic Mess, are records hinged on her personal experiences with her mental health, Going to Hell is a personal record for another reason entirely.
Hekt’s first release as an openly gay woman, it explores the thoughts, feelings and issues she experienced both before and when coming out. The result is a deeply personal album. One delivered with both the frothy poppy fizz and the unmistakable fragility we’ve come to expect.
Fragile it might be, but never before has Hekt herself sounded stronger or more confident in what she’s doing. Cursory listens might well suggest that it’s pretty much business as usual, especially given how effortlessly singles such as ’80 Days of Rain’ or ‘Undone’ slot in besides earlier offerings. Strong might even seem an odd word to use, given the insecurities exhibited on the likes of the aforementioned ‘Undone’ or ‘Stranded’, but the strength lies in the fearlessly candid lyricism, and Hekt’s ability to face her demons, while making the personal universal.
As such, it’s easy to see Going to Hell becoming a record that will mean so much to so many, and undoubtedly go on to help them through some of the toughest times of their life. Though as an album it might not resonate with me on a personal level the way previous releases have, it’s impossible to downplay the importance it holds for Hekt, and will go on to hold for her fans. A brave and bold solo release.
Words by Dave Beech