Melbourne's sonic landscape has long been fertile ground for bands that defy easy categorisation, and The Maggie Pills are no exception. The city's post-punk heritage, which gave rise to the iconic "Little Band" scene of the late '70s, finds a fresh, urgent voice in this dynamic six-piece. Now the outfit delivers their much-anticipated sophomore record, 'Hearts Enduring Lingering Loss', a masterclass in controlled chaos and emotional intensity, out now via Cheersquad Records & Tapes.
At its core, the band is a collision of cultures, a creative partnership forged between Argentinian frontwoman Delfi Sorondo and Venezuelan drummer Mario Perez, who met in Australia after immigrating in 2019. This worldly perspective permeates their sound, creating a blend of searing intensity and raw, unfiltered liberation.
This is immediately apparent on the album's focus track, 'Swords and Knives', a stormy meditation on the destructive yet thrilling nature of love. The song acts as an emotional lightning rod, a sentiment the band themselves articulate with striking candour. "Love comes in fast. It battles you from the inside out," they share. "We're all mysterious creatures, full of hidden fears. Being truly seen is terrifying. But it's also the only way to really connect. And sometimes, it hurts like hell."
The album, produced and mixed by Perez and Brad Jackson, is a twelve-track journey through the human condition, with each song a distinct piece of the puzzle. From the grunge-drenched fury of 'Velobell' to the ominous fuzz of 'Goths Of Disgrace', 'Hearts Enduring Lingering Loss' navigates the tangled threads of desire, fear, loss, and defiance.
Complementing the album's release is a visual fable for 'Swords and Knives', a music video directed and shot by Mario on a handycam in a single day. The haunting clip, edited by Tropical Fuck Storm and Amyl and the Sniffers collaborator Sam Mapplebeck, follows a vampire girl on her final day as she confronts her mortality. Her wandering journey is a powerful metaphor for the album's central themes, with each encounter symbolising the push and pull of love and inevitability.
For those eager to experience the band's renowned live energy, The Maggie Pills have announced two Naarm/Melbourne shows at The Night Cat and The Brunswick Ballroom. These performances will add to their already impressive live resume, which includes sold-out headline shows and shared stages with post-punk royalty like The Mark of Cain, Cable Ties, and Private Function. With 'Hearts Enduring Lingering Loss', The Maggie Pills have not only delivered a powerful new record but have also solidified their position as one of Melbourne's most compelling acts.
For more, join the band today on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
