tight as a tick
Another band singing about “the existential dread of hitting your mid-30’s“, London-based three-piece BIG HUG formed in 2021, “bonding over a shared love of football, beer and cats“. Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time is their debut and, on the strength of this, it didn’t take them long to get their act together.
As confident as a band three albums deep, these five tracks surely belie the band’s recent formation, with all elements locked in tight as a tick. The propulsive Raise The Bar may be blessed of a certain spikiness, but there’s a catchy, radio-friendly air, sharing an affinity with the noughties UK guitar-band assault on the charts. Guinness Paltrow – surely a band name in waiting – is the highlight, sporting a FUGAZI-like chorus, scratchy guitar and rising-and-falling emo influences. FUGAZI-lite, maybe. Instantly hooky, Danny Is The Greatest Lover‘s pleasant power-pop, juxtaposes warm, spiralling guitar with an unexpectedly jagged solo. For the title song, think MANIC STREET PREACHERS as emo side project. Similar vocal inflections and song structure, intricate guitar work and an insistent sing-a-long, an unexpected influence that shakes out strong. Finally, All Yours comes fully out of the 90’s emo closet, with shimmering guitar, and pacy, emotional songwriting.
Taking indie rock intricacy from turn-of-the-century emo, a little post-punk spikiness, and the millennial, power-pop sensibilities of MAXIMO PARK and THE FUTUREHEADS, BIG HUG have crafted a moreish mix of erudite, indie-punk with a caustic edge. Yeah, I dig it.
released 3rd March 2023
PERSONAL PUNK 
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