Music / new releases

Hamburger release angst-fuelled dream-pop EP

By Ursula Billington  Tuesday Dec 3, 2024

Beat Back the Ghouls is the latest release from fuzzy indie-pop outfit Hamburger, and a follow-up to 2020’s critically acclaimed EP Teenage Terrified.

It’s a dreamy, nostalgic record comprising the signature wistful/playful, melancholic/goofy aesthetic that the Bristol six-piece has been perfecting since releasing their first single Playstation on new year’s day, 2019.

With Elliot Smith tones, call-and-response vocals, guitar in turns twinkling and distorted, heartfelt choruses and big juicy hooks, it’s another clutch of fresh and timeless-sounding tracks that nevertheless feel like you’ve loved them since the ‘90s.

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Beat Back the Ghouls was released on November 29 by Bristol’s Specialist Subject records

The six tracks explore themes of longing, want and alienation. Listen out for single Rip, the EP closer which artfully juxtaposes childish folly with ultra-violence in a tale, apparently, of a character beaten senseless with a tricycle.

Its jangly guitar and earnest-yet-naive delivery belongs in a mid-2000s indie movie while the relentless, doom-laden keys line is reminiscent of a sinister Sonic the Hedgehog. Endearing, to say the least.

The band’s arguably silly name derives from the chance meeting of founding members’ Fearghall and Tom in a fast-food joint, back in 2018.

Beat Back the Ghouls is out now on Specialist Subject Records; listen on bandcamp here.

Hamburger’s EP launch is at the Exchange on December 5, and they play Strange Brew with Bristol compadrés Mould, MP3 Chainsaw and LIFTER on January 25.

All images: Hamburger

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