Ghum

London based quartet GHUM are excited to today release their new single ‘Bitter’, the title track from their upcoming debut album, out on 17^th June via Everything Sucks Music. ‘Bitter’ finds the band at once introspective and incensed, purging those feelings that gather, swirl and churn within. 

Following their recently sold-out show at London’s Sebright Arms, the band will be playing a headline show in-store at Rough Trade East on 4^th July.

Vocalist Laura Guerrero Lora had to say on the single: “Bitter is about how the right connection, even for someone that has been beaten up by bad experiences, drives them to go through the risks and fears that new relationships might bring. It’s hopeful, it’s about taking chances.”

Bitter is the sound of a band fully in control and their debut record has been a long time coming. GHUM met online in 2016, each of them hails from different parts of the world (London, Malaysia, Spain and Brazil) and bonded over bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Warpaint, The Cure and Soft Kill. Being in a band of all women was also important, from inception. “I'd never been in an all-female band before,” Jojo remembers. “I’d played in an all-female band in the past which was much more fun” adds Marina.

Everything snowballed swiftly after meeting. They released their debut EP GHUM in 2017, followed by The Coldest Fire in 2019, out via Everything Sucks Music. Those initial years were defined by back-to-back gigs and tours around the UK and Europe, with support slots with the likes of Dream Wife and L.A. Witch. They also received widespread tastemaker support from The Fader and Dazed to The Line of Best Fit and The Observer, alongside strong support from BBC Radio 6 Music (including a Maida Vale BBC Introducing Session in 2019 and repeated plays from Steve Lamacq).

Pieced together from old, half-written songs and new sonic sketches, Bitter is in many ways a portrait of everything they've done so far. The result is a raw, swirling slice of melancholic grunge rock, pinned together by Vicki's pounding drums and Laura's signature heartfelt vocals. “You make it so easy to hate you, my love,” spits Laura over sparse, rhythmic bass on “Deceiver.” On the title track, the “you” becomes someone else. “You are the only reason I put myself through this,” Laura's voice rises over intricate, distorted guitar melodies.

The band are excited to let these songs free, at last. “The style of the songs all taste like GHUM,” says Laura. “We recognise it when we're jamming. We know what we're doing now. It's strong and a bit aggressive, a bit melancholic. It’s like us.”

GHUM are Marina MJ, Laura Guerrero Lora, Jojo Khor and Vicki Ann.