The recently released, Heartbreak Rules, by Horse Jumper of Love features eight songs with two reimagined versions, “I Poured Sugar in Your Shoes” and “Chariots” from their 2022 album Natural Part and a cover of “Luna” by The Smashing Pumpkins.
Written and recorded solely by vocalist and guitarist, Dimitri Giannopoulos and he said this about Heartbreak Rules and the recording process with Bradford Kreeger,
When I started writing, I didn’t really know what it would be. I went into it with no intentions. It was really fun, we were drinking heavily and grilling steaks. We only brought the bare minimum stuff: a practice amp, a midi keyboard, a very spare drum kit. The low key vibe just made the songs sound great to me because I knew I was in a good headspace.
The low key vibe can be heard throughout Heartbreak Rules, laid back energy.
There’s a scene in Miss Congeniality where Miss Rhode Island describes her perfect date, and while not a specific date like the clueless pageant queen gives, the energy of Heartbreak Rules is the perfect soundtrack for the orange pink skies of sunrise over a field of emerald green.
The minimalism of Heartbreak Rules works beautifully. Be it through the hushed vocals of “A Tune Drifts Out the Window” or “Spirit of the Guitar” or the use of instruments the duo brought with them to the recording session.
What is not minimal are the lyrics, Dimitri provides sincere and heartfelt reflections on vices, family, and friends.
Fans of the Pumpkins will appreciate the cover of “Luna”. Stripped back to a guitar and vocals, it allows nuances of the song, the lyrics, and Dimitri’s vocals to come through.
Through its reflective lyrics and low-fi music, Heartbreak Rules is a sincere and quiet exploration into life through music.
MUST LISTEN TRACKS: “Luna”, “Act of No Substance”
FAVOURITE TRACK: “I Poured Sugar in Your Shoes”
