Hatchie’s (Harriette Pilbeam) first album, Keepsake, is finally here; and so is she. After gaining attention as the bassist of Australian indie band, Babaganouj, and her 2018 EP Sugar & Spice, the release of her first album comes to fully cement Pilbeam’s status as music’s next indie darling. Written and produced entirely by her and guitarist, Joe Aguis, as well as Australian producer John Castle, Keepsake is a labor of love that excellently shows off Harriette’s refinement and emotional intelligence as a songwriter.

While the influence on the album from artists like The Cocteau Twins, The Sundays, and My Bloody Valentine is clear (“Sure,” off Sugar & Spice, was actually remixed by Cocteau Twins guitarist Robin Guthrie in February), it’s hardly what Pilbeam deserves to be known for. If you’re already familiar with those artists, there’s everything to like about the Australian newcomer’s debut, but if you were unfortunate enough to have missed the boat the first time around, Hatchie provides the perfect opportunity to finally hop on.

Keepsake effortlessly bottles the youthful nostalgia of young love gone wrong, with all the honesty and self-awareness that can only come from truly learning to know oneself. That self-knowledge is consistently displayed through the album’s delivery. While many artists may come into the game still developing their sound, Hatchie has had hers down since the get-go; her shoegaze-y, dream pop vibes are as perfect for spinning around your bedroom as they are for silent reminiscing over past relationships. The album keeps its consistency without coming off flat as she balances it with a range of deeper 80’s dance pop beats (“Unwanted Guest“) and laid-back acoustics (“Her Own Heart”). It’s a further development from her EP’s sugary sweet, pop melodies, but Keepsake’s somewhat monochromatic tone doesn’t feel like a crutch, as much as it does an active choice to remain consistent– which, in a landscape of artists ever trying to diversify their sound, is a welcomed change.

While perhaps not the most lyrically complex album, what Keepsake lacks in poetry is more than made up for in emotional poignancy. The album is full of simple yet genius lyrics that deliver pure emotional gut punches for anyone who’s ever experienced heartbreak (“If I had a rose for every sorry that was overdue/I’d have a garden full of flowers not this never-ending empty view,” – “Not That Kind“) and songs that serve as the personal mantras you never knew you needed (“Her Own Heart“). The 26-year-old gets to the emotional complexity of failed relationships, taking ownership of her own shortcomings with honesty and grace. She acknowledges the past and what she’s learned from it without letting it weigh her down. It’s an emotional maturity that’s refreshing within the pop genre. On Keepsake, Hatchie perfectly demonstrates her ability as a song writer, setting the bar high for herself without leaving the listener wondering where she can go from here. As someone who has expressed a desire to not stay boxed into the shoegaze genre, it will be interesting to see how she chooses to experiment on future projects. Keepsake is truly that special kind of album you want run and tell everyone about, just as much as you want to keep it a secret for yourself. As for me, I’d recommend you keep it around for all your summer nights and for every heartbreak thereafter.

You can stream Keepsake below.