On 2024’s There’s a Big Star Outside, Swim Deep’s Austin Williams was in the real throes of life. The birth of his first child and suddenly having to navigate the loss of his partner’s father at the same time period, the songs that made up that record were naturally shaped by these hugely transformative life events. Two years on, the shortest time period between Swim Deep albums yet, Hum delves into the ‘after’ of this time and the things that got him through.
Sonically, the ’90s alt-rock influence of the last record remains with huge, sprawling ballads taking centre stage here. The themes are deeply personal, each track acting as a reminder that love will always conquer all, even in times of unimaginable grief and change. Opener ‘Pieces Of You’ sets the tone for the rest of the album perfectly as guitars build and drop away only to build again as Williams’ lyrics focus on relationships as a guiding light through grief. It leads nicely into ‘You, Me and Mary’, a gorgeous dedication to Williams’ wife and daughter as he reflects on the possibility that family might only mean the three of them, it’s equal parts as melancholy as it is joyful.
‘Mud’ is the most blatant example of a group that doesn’t feel the pressure anymore, yet it feels the most familiar. Swim Deep have always had an ability to evoke a feeling of deep nostalgia, but here, it’s impossible to escape. Woozy guitars and an outro built seemingly perfectly for a festival set, if you close your eyes and pretend enough, we’re back in 2013 for a split second.
After so many years as a group and a few lineup changes and having to find other jobs to keep doing what they love, Hum is the indicator that Swim Deep are finally settled into the groove of being a band. Certainly, it hasn’t been without struggle or sacrifice, but they are living proof that sometimes, chasing your dreams is beyond worth it.
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