Jonnine Standish and Nigel Yang will release their fourth album as HTRK (pronounced “Hate Rock”) next month, once again on Ghostly. 

Venus In Leo arrives five years on from 2014’s Psychic 9-5 Club. While the HTRK hallmarks remain—the combination of space and intimacy, the interplay between Yang’s guitars and Standish’s vocals—the album differs in its energy, returning to HTRK’s underground rock past with the stylistic playfulness and variety of a modern mixtape. It was recorded more or less live in HTRK’s home studio in the Dandenong Ranges outside of Melbourne, Australia. 

Conceptually, it sees the duo exploring the makings of personality. Standish revisits her childhood home in a recurring dream (“Dream Symbol”), a doomed first kiss (“New Year’s Eve”) and high drama (“Venus in Leo”). We’re told that the album’s “simple production reveals gorgeous, toned-back arrangements and an evolving, idiosyncratic songcraft.”

It’s been 10 years since HTRK released their breakthrough first album, Marry Me Tonight. Since then, they’ve undergone profound changes, with the first two albums released amid the deaths of close friend and collaborator Rowland S. Howard and HTRK co-founder Sean Stewart. Psychic 9-5 Club set them on a path of self-discovery, and Venus in Leo “marks a spirited new chapter,” the label explains.

Venus In Leo LP is out August 30, with “You Know How to Make Me Happy” streaming in full below and pre-order here. 

Tracklisting

01. Into the Drama

02. Mentions

03. Venus in Leo 

04. You Know How to Make Me Happy

05. Dream Symbol

06. Hit ‘Em Wit Da Hee

07. Dying of Jealousy

08. New Year’s Day

09. New Year’s Eve