Petty bickering online led to one of the year’s most enjoyable songs

By Kyle Ryan  |  August 30, 2013 | 5:00pm
Music Features Music
Petty bickering online led to one of the year’s most enjoyable songs
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In Hear This, A.V. Club writers sing the praises of songs they know well—some inspired by a weekly theme and some not, but always songs worth hearing.

Our Flame War Could Be Your Band—it’s not as succinct as The Hunting Room for the title of Her Royal Harness’ debut album, but it’s more descriptive of the group’s origins. Norwegian songwriter Helene Jaeger met British producer/multi-instrumentalist Dylan Long while arguing in an unnamed “music forum.” Once they tired themselves out—presumably after calling each other “worse than Hitler,” or perhaps wishing cancerAIDS on each other—they realized they shared a lot of interests, and their different ideas could make for good music.

The Hunting Room marks one of the few times in the history of the Internet that an argument online has led to something constructive, but the success of “Unseen” is more pedestrian: It’s simply an excellent electronic pop song. Anchored by a percussive synthesizer that propels the song more than the simple beat beneath it, “Unseen” is deliciously catchy, with layers of synthesizers flowing beneath Jaeger’s Annie Lennox-like voice. It recalls one of my favorite groups of the past year, Chvrches, who could pretty seamlessly headline a bill with Her Royal Harness.

The band self-released The Hunting Room via its own Manufacture label at the end of June, so it hasn’t gotten a ton of attention. The album is definitely worth seeking out, and “Unseen” may be its best moment. See, something good can come out of online bickering. Take note, A.V. Club commenters.

 
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