Liverpool’s alternative scene has a fresh new voice in Hinged, a four-piece emo/punk outfit making waves with their DIY ethos and emotionally charged sound. Their debut single, Plastic Memories is a bold first statement—dreamy, raw, and unafraid to burn brightly.
“Feeling nostalgia for a time that never was.” That sentiment lies at the heart of Plastic Memories. Hinged may only have formed in 2023, but their sound already feels refined and distinctive. Drawing inspiration from the angular indie intricacies of Pavement, the dreamy shimmer of Alvvays, and the explosive punk energy of PUP and Jeff Rosenstock, the band fuse emo, shoegaze, indie, and punk into something that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new.
The track opens with shimmering guitars and a hazy, reverb-soaked atmosphere that immediately sets a contemplative tone. It feels suspended between dream and reality, perfectly echoing the song’s theme of blurred recollections and fragile moments. Just as you’ve settled into its hypnotic flow, Hinged flip the switch—the chorus crashes in with distorted guitars and impassioned, layered vocals, evoking a storm of emotion that recalls the best of 2000s melodic emo while keeping one foot firmly in modern indie.
Self-produced and mastered by the band, Plastic Memories is a testament to Hinged’s DIY spirit and vision. The mix strikes a balance between intimacy and intensity, giving space for both the song’s atmospheric textures and its fiery catharsis to shine. It’s ambitious for a debut, but also deeply personal—an introduction that doesn’t just whisper what Hinged are about, but declares it loudly.
Hinged have already taken to stages across the Liverpool city region from Future Yard in Birkenhead to Liverpool favourites Kaz Stockroom, Quarry, and Outpost.
With more music promised before the year is out, Hinged are a band to watch closely. If Plastic Memories is anything to go by, Liverpool’s emo and alternative scene just gained a powerful new voice.
Stream Plastic Memories now.
Follow @hingedtheband on Instagram for updates.
