A decade in the making, H_NGM_N have finally released their highly anticipated album ‘Paper Street’. A sensational blend of genres from pop-punk to alt-rock, it’s everything and more that I could have hoped for from this long-awaited release.
‘Spotlight’ grabbed me straight into the album, a searing single that let me know within the first ten seconds that this album was going to be memorable and very, very good. One of the first tracks to be released, it’s a pop-punk delight filled with soaring guitar riffs and drums which sweep you up into the heart of the song.
H_NGM_N have always used lyricism to their advantage, one of the main reasons why I adore the band so much. Introspective lyrics fill your eardrums: “I know that I can be difficult to be around, but I try harder every day / I keep losing my way and all I want is to make sure that any of this will matter”, they describe emotions of doubt and worry (which I’m sure of all of us can relate to) and serves as a touching reminder to keep going in spite of this.
Beautiful and energetic, ‘Spotlight’ is a superb opener to this simply delightful debut album.
The next three tracks all add something different to the story, each a page in the delightful and multifaceted book that is ‘Paper Street’. The Brighton duo are no strangers to excellently using guitars to tell their tale, and these songs prove this. From the slightly jangly guitar riffs in ‘Lost’ to the darker and twinkly tones in ‘Reach Out’ and ‘Nothing Personal’, it highlights the exceptional craftsmanship that’s been placed into this album, making it the best that it can be.
‘Reach Out’ reflects on the feelings of never being good enough (one that, like many others I’m sure, hits close to home for me). Meanwhile, ‘Nothing Personal’ details the long-told story of clinging onto someone even though you know you should let it go, but H_NGM_N presents this tale in a fresh and exciting way, drawing you in and forcing you to stay to listen to what they have to say – A testament to how the band continues to go from strength to strength.
“I don’t know what’s real, can’t shake this constant nightmare” is a line that stands out to me. Do I know why it tickles my fancy so much? No. Does it anyway? Yes, 100%. Maybe because it paints a poignant picture of the pain that derives from loss, or maybe it’s because of the way it’s been delivered, the pure anger and raw emotion that it’s infused with, but hey, we’ll never know…
The vocal shifts in ‘Reach Out’ and ‘Lost’ give the album much-needed layers, ensuring that it remains exciting and steering clear of the thing everyone dreads… repetition (dun, dun, dun). ‘Lost’s’ vocals remind me of early Fall Out Boy’s with the catchy, emo shouts that wouldn’t be out of place in underground clubs, soundtracking mosh-pits and unforgettable nights, proving that H_NGM_N are climbing the ranks and deserve the following that they’re beginning to get. I also find the ending of the latter really interesting; there are elements of jazz, highlighted by the glittering cymbals and the faint spoken word that you really have to listen closely to in order to make out anything that’s being said (listen for yourself and you’ll see what I mean).
Now, I could waffle on about how much I love these three songs but you have better things to do with your time so I’ll move on (as I’m sure you’ll be glad to know) but just know that all the tracks are fine examples of the emo and alt-rock genres, each with something to say and I’m sure you’ll be able to find your own story within when you treat your ears to this stunner of an album.
Marking the halfway point, ‘No Place Like Home’ was my first introduction to the band all the way back in May and my word, what an introduction that was. Chris Child’s whiny vocals are magnetic, capturing the spirit of the song – wanting to escape from your homelife and your everyday problems, growing restless at the everlasting mundanity of it all, as highlighted through the powerful lyric of “why can’t we leave this all behind and find a better place?” There’s a certain solace to the song, a comfort blanket for those unhappy with how their life is currently panning out.
The song is a firework of sound with James Martin’s skilful drumming being the driving point, your ear always coming back to it for fear of missing anything.
Just when you think it couldn’t get any better, it does, and the next four tracks prove this. The instruments are addictive, each used in slightly different ways to keep you hooked. Coming in short, sharp bursts, ‘Words’, with its similarities to I Was A Cub Scout, is addictive; the slightly more melancholic vibe hits the nail on the head with what the duo are trying to achieve on this masterpiece. Although ‘Six Coffees’ follows a different path, for most of the tune it’s just Child’s and his trusty guitar before the rest of the instruments come rushing in, creating beautiful chaos out of the noise.
However, H_NGM_N still use silence to their advantage. Take ‘Hungover’ for example, the track is cleverly interspersed with beats of silence, detailing the typical end of a great night out and ensuring that you don’t get too lost in the sound that runs rampant around you.
‘Three Hours Sleeps’ deserves to be chanted back to the band by adoring fans, the highlight of the key themes, anxiety, guilt, and doubt. The track does what it says on the tin, showcasing the graft that the band have put in for almost a decade.
It’s not lost on me that the penultimate track, ‘Six Coffees’, comes directly after ‘Three Hours Sleep’; in fact, I feel it adds to the album. The playful humour that’s littered throughout ensures that you don’t become too bogged down because, at its core, this album is deep and dark and meaningful, and sometimes it’s all too easy to get lost within that.
And so, ‘Ghosts’ wraps us up. A metaphor about the ghosts of the past and how they still haunt us, it’s a fantastic song to finish up on. The distorted guitars strike a delicate balance; they’re distorted enough to drive the darker nature home, but not enough so that you feel too overwhelmed with it all.
The tune drags up a lot of emotions, no less than it marks the end of such a wonderful album, but also with its message and how we can’t always escape our past, but we must do so lest it drowns us.
The ending is messy and haunting, a superb way to close ‘Paper Street’.
Compelling and gripping, ‘Paper Street’ is hands down one of the best debut albums that I’ve listened to this year and proves why you need to get into the English band now before they sell out headline tours worldwide.
Written by Madi Briggs
