SINGLE REVIEW | HUNGRY – SICK OF IT – OUT NOW by Izzy Reeve

Fledgling Manchester band HUNGRY have released their rip-roaring anthem ‘Sick of It’ ahead of the release of their debut EP ‘Are You The Best Yet?’. Having already taken the stages of YES and Gorilla by storm in sweaty, frenetic gigs; their new single translates their live shows into a driving post-punk meets indie-rock track. HUNGRY have an unassuming facade, but this song will put them on the map. They capture existentialism and anti-capitalist weariness in under three minutes of driving drums, crunchy guitars and a propulsive bassline.

‘Sick of It’ is a personal reflection for frontman Jacob Peck, who doesn’t let up in his bleak but quickfire lyrics. He shares, “The tune is short, snappy and does what it says on the tin in under three minutes. Exactly how it should be.”

You can’t help but feel this is exactly what they’ve achieved, hammering home unabated energy reminiscent of Fontaines DC’s ‘Boys in the Better Land’. Where HUNGRY’S previous single ‘The Jig’ has a more vibrant sound, ‘Sick of It’ is tinged with desperation. That attitude becomes all the more apparent by the bridge, when you think they couldn’t level up the energy more, a whirlwind of guitars and synths preface Peck’s ominous observations “it’s a lie… and you do it all your life”. Alex Rice of Sports Team, Zac Lawrence of Deadletter and James Smith of Yard Act are a few vocalists that deliver similar reflective, politically damning lyricism with satisfying, dramatic matter-of-factness.

Composed of drummer Stan Rankin, guitarist Kit Thomas and bassist Jas Malig, HUNGRY’S sound is perfected by some brilliant production. Despite its chaos, the many elements of ‘Sick of It’ are well balanced and capture the feeling of a hot, tiny, raging music venue somewhere on the outskirts of a city. With a string of shows ahead of them, including a slot at Live at Leeds on the 16th November, HUNGRY’S come up isn’t something you want to miss.