Pheromones (The Hard Aches album) explained

Pheromones is the debut studio album by Australian melodic punk/alternative rock band The Hard Aches, released on 22 May 2015 by Anchorhead Records.^[1]

Background and promotion

THe Hard Aches began working on their debut album in 2013. In a 2016 interview with The Brag, drummer Alex Upton explained: "A lot of the songs that ended up on Pheromones were written around the time that we put out our last EP (Organs & Airports) back in 2013. By the time that we’d recorded them, they were at least 18-months old and had been a part of the setlist for ages."^[2]

In April 2015, The Hard Aches released the single "I Get Like This", and announced the upcoming release of their debut album.^[3] The song, along with its accompanying music video, were well received by critics and fans.^[4]

The Hard Aches released their debut album, Pheromones, in May 2015.^[4] The twelve-track album spawned a second single, "Knots", which also received a music video in July 2015.^[5]

Critical reception

The album received positive reviews. Happy Mag praised the album, saying "Pheromones is the ideal debut album, showing maturity and talent far beyond The Hard Aches’ experience as a relatively new band".^[6] Woroni gave the album a positive review, describing it as: "a great album for those thinking about jumping on the folk-punk bandwagon".^[7]

Track listing

Track listing adapted from BandCamp.^[1]

Personnel

The Hard Aches

• Ben David – lead vocals, guitar, bass guitar
• Alex Upton – drums

Additional musicians

• Brianna Mahoney – additional vocals
• Steve Rosewarne – additional vocals

Production

• Matt Hills – mixing and mastering

Design

• Chris Cowburn – cover design
• Bec Stevens – photography
• Sianne van Abkoude – insert design

Notes and References

1. Web site: Pheromones . . 22 May 2015 . 11 January 2023.
2. Web site: The Hard Aches. David. Young. The Brag. 28 September 2016. 12 January 2023.
3. Web site: Premiere: The Hard Aches – I Get Like This. The Music. 16 April 2015. 12 January 2023.
4. Web site: Adelaide's The Hard Aches release debut album "Pheromones" and announce national launch tour. https://web.archive.org/web/20150528104930/http://www.theaureview.com/news/the-hard-aches-adelaide-release-debut-album-and-announce-tour. dead. 28 May 2015. 27 May 2015. Jessica. Beriotto. The AU Review. 12 January 2023.
5. Web site: Premiere: Take a ride with The Hard Aches in Knots. Debbie. Carr. Happy Media. 3 July 2015. 12 January 2023.
6. Web site: The Hard Aches smash through heartbreak on their debut. Debbie. Carr. Happy Media. 23 June 2015. 12 January 2023.
7. Web site: Review: The Hard Aches 'Pheromones'. Azim. Zain. Woroni. 29 July 2015. 12 January 2023.