“To see you at the lights, dreaming before you die.“
Following on from their 2023 debut, Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time, London-based trio Big Hug return once more this week. Picking up where their debut release left off, their sophomore EP A Living You’ll Never Know is more jangly and infectious emo that is good for the soul.
Big Hug’s sound is a well-crafted combination of intricate guitar performances, buoyant and groove-packed bass lines, and catchy, spirited melodies. It perfectly sits alongside that of contemporaries such as Origami Angel and Prince Daddy & The Hyena, whilst ensuring that there is enough of its own charm and character that it remains unique.
The EP commences with a brief instrumental number in the form of “Pyrrhic Opposites”; reverb soaked guitars manoeuvre through arpeggio patterns, resonating with a sonic warmth. This leads perfectly into the punchy lead single, “Cruellemonde De La Hi Fi”. Guitars alternate between simple, stomping riffs, and noodling math-infused passages, set over a rhythm section that pops with energy, all whilst anxious lyricism is delivered with a perfect balance of catchy melodies and punk rawness by vocalist Tom Watkins (“I stop and stare, and I know it’s wrong / To see you at the lights, dreaming before you die”).
“Nothing Changes” brings a heavier focus on groove, with its slicked-back rhythms set beneath jagged guitar riffs that bounce along energetically. Stripped back choruses compliment the more electrifying verses perfectly, before building to a raucous gang vocal climax, truly saturating affairs with a distinct emo melancholy. “Gary on Earth” rounds the EP off well with another upbeat emo anthem that truly takes off towards the back end of the track; the percussion performance from Owain Mumford on this track particularly stands out, as they alternate between tempos and drum patterns effortlessly to ensure the momentum never slows.
As a brief collection of catchy emo anthems, A Living You’ll Never Know certainly achieves its purpose; it is impossible to not find your foot tapping along to at least one of these tracks, as Big Hug are not just talented performers, but charismatic ones too. However, it is hard not to wonder what Big Hug could be capable of should they push themselves just a little further creatively.
Whilst Big Hug certainly endeavour to make their sound feel like their own, nothing here feels particularly revelatory. It is a body of work that settles in comfortably alongside the music of their contemporaries, but sometimes struggles to stand ahead of the crowd. Perhaps an extra track or so could have alleviated this.
However, that is not to say that A Living You’ll Never Know is bad or disappointing whatsoever; this is a thoroughly enjoyable record that fans of emo and indie rock are certain to love. Big Hug’s capacity for crafting whimsical yet charged anthems for existential dread is something to be admired, and the musical performances cannot be faulted for their quality or charm, a good way to spend 11 minutes of your day.
7/10
A Living You’ll Never Know releases independently on the 1st of March. Pre-save here.