by Ian MacPhee (@i_macphee)
After a 22 year silence, the legendary space-rock group Hum have finally arrived with a surprise new album. The new album, Inlet, was released unceremoniously on Bandcamp, but it took little time for the news to go viral. Based out of Champaign, Illinois, the band is best known for classic albums like 1995’s You’d Prefer an Astronaut , and have since become a staple of 90’s alt-rock. Inlet is a sonic journey, guided by huge riffs and heavy atmosphere.
Despite the passage of time, Hum has retained an energy that feels new yet distinct and authentic. “Waves” begins with thick, fuzzy guitar and crashing drums. Though the first track of a new album, this song offers as good an intro to the band as any. “Step Into You” feels like it could have been the lead single from Inlet, and is the catchiest song on the album. The music is relentless, and singer Matt Talbott’s vocals offer the perfect contrast to the wall of sound.
Considering almost every track lasts well over five minutes, Inlet requires deeper listening and focus. The band seems most comfortable writing at tempos reminiscent of stoner metal acts like Earth. “Desert Rambler” sounds like a perfect name for the nine minute opus, yet everything feels purposeful. Transitioning from sludgy guitar to droning ambience, Hum are masters of creating worlds within a single song.
On the final track “Shapeshifter,” all elements of the band align beautifully. Deceptively simple drums and thundering bass support intertwining guitars, producing the iconic calling card that set the band apart in the mid-nineties. After a slow building intro, layers of instruments are stripped back, allowing Talbott’s unique lyricism to come into focus. Hum’s dynamic range has always been a critical element of their music, and Inlet is a reminder of why the band is still influential to this day.
From modern shoegaze groups like Cloakroom and Narrow Head, the impact of Hum is incalculable. Though it’s easy to be wary of a reunion album, Inlet offers exciting and welcome surprises, proving the groups staying power.