Big Hug: A Living You’ll Never Know EP

In the U.K. at least, in the last 12 months has seen emo and post-hardcore stretch beyond the usual borders. Like metal, emo and post-hardcore will always exist, having an indescribable ability to blur the lines between generations and class. Over the last six months, there have been several acts to emerge beyond the local DIY scenes that have always proved vital in this sound world, and alongside fellow London up and comers, Achers, Big Hug are one of them.

Consisting of Tom Watkins (guitar, vocals), Henry Langston (bass, vocals) and Owain Mumford (drums, vocals), Big Hug provide a little bit more panache their immediate contemporaries, amalgamating the ideas of ’90s math-rock and indie-rock to good effect.

Sinews: Reanimated EP

Following their 2023 EP, Don’t Threaten Me with A Good Time, the band return with A Living You’ll Never Know. Recorded and mixed by Tom Hill at London’s Bookhouse studios with mastering duties falling to the leading light himself, Carl Saff (Ativin, Sunburned Hand of the Man, Holy Sons et al), Big Hug make giant strides on A Living You’ll Never Know.

Whilst Don’t Threaten Me with A Good Time was an affair largely immersed in the emo capsule, A Living You’ll Never Know is a far more dynamic offering. Both the songwriting and musicianship sees Big Hug exploding through the glass ceiling to reach new heights.

Beginning with Pyrrhic Opposites, an interlude with Mike Kinsella-like meanderings, Big Hug burst into life with Cruellemonde De La Hi Fi. With math-rock-inspired roller-coaster rhythms, Watkins’ introspective lyrics follow the band’s musical range outside the margins (“See you at the lights dreaming / Before you die”.)

Nothing Changes follows, which sees Big Hug mixing the frenetic time signatures of Don Caballero with sugar-rush melodies of Sunny Day Real Estate. The early ghosts of …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Trail of Dead and their lightning brand of indie-rock also bubbling underneath the mix, as Watkins continues to peel back the layers that life has to offer (“You don’t understand what’s wrong / Because nothing changes”).

The buoyant, chiming summerscapes that dominate Gary On Earth are like a nod to the band’s roots, but still maintain a new confidence prevalent on A Living You’ll Never Know. A release that sees Big Hug bringing to life their influences via vast record collections and the deep listening exercises that come with such territory. It’s a strong release, and for DIY scenes all across the world to prosper, bands like Big Hug will always remain an integral part.

A Living You’ll Never Know is out now. Purchase from Bandcamp.