GUSH Return with Visceral ‘Exposure Therapy’ EP – (Irish Grunge/Alt Rock
Following on from the release of their debut single ‘Dilemma’, which caught the sharpened ears of Hot Press, Rock N Load, First Contact Music and Golden Plec. Belfast grungers, Gush return with the release of their new EP ‘Exposure Therapy’. Over the course of 5 tracks the band hold a mirror up to themselves confronting fears, anxieties and mining the darkest recesses of their psyches as they use their instruments as tools to exorcise their considerable demons. The power of Gush compels you.
“One of Belfast’s brightest newcomers”
– Hot Press –
The seeds of Gush were planted as far back as a decade ago, with lead guitarist Robby McCammon and bassist Rab Millar having been tied to each other under the banner of various different bands over the years. Upon returning home to Northern Ireland after a short hiatus spent in Liverpool, Chelsea and Robby reconnected with Rab. Soon after, a chance encounter at Christmas gifted the band their drummer, Darren Clarke. The band set about writing at a furious pace, intent on forging their own sound. They chewed up their various influences and spat them out as something entirely themselves. This is evident across the new EP ‘Exposure Therapy’.
“Hazy gazy grunge”
– Rock N Load –
From the barrage of distorted chords that open ‘Decay’ and the EP it sets a clear intention from the band, fearless in their approach. Lyrically the track deals with recognising when its time to cut the cord and walk away from a situation. Chelsea’s repetitive lyrics drill the message home loud and clear as she vents her spleen on an unnamed target, whoever it may be is not worth the time or energy. Darren Clarke’s drums add drive and pulse to track and the heavy stabs in the middle of the song help punctuate the emotion in the track.
‘Mean’ has a lurching rhythm that makes the track feel like some sort of fantastic, demented waltz. Rab pulled the song from the vault, written pre-Gush, bringing it to the band and allowing it to evolve. Robbie’s new lead part added to dizzying spin of the track. Rab’s bass pushes the whole track forward, with a distinct desert-rock tone. Chelsea sings of the frustration in being misinterpreted as she intones ‘I just wanna be seen’.
The first single to be taken from the EP ‘Dilemma (Joe’s Song)’ begins dripping in watery chorus guitars, with layered in guitar melodies and Rab’s tasteful bass, all setting the mood for Chelsea’s vocals that move between affecting and sensitive to impassioned and raw. Darren’s driving hi-hats propel the chorus forward before pulling back and creating space in the verses. The ebb and flow of the track utilises the Pixies’ famous loud-quiet-loud formula, before reaching the final third that builds to a crescendo by way of stomping on the overdrive pedal, delayed soaring guitar leads and gnarled out bass.
Lead single ‘Worthless’ has a distinct flannel soaked 90’s Seattle rock feel to it. Ready for the whirling dervish of sweaty moshpits to be formed as the track kicks in with a machine gun snare drum roll. The half time tempo change does nothing to ensure the venues safety. Chelsea goes for the throat with her experience of the popular girls in school hassling the alt kids. Systematically tearing down this worthless princess across the tracks 3 and a half minute run time.
Final track on ‘Exposure Therapy’, ‘Tightly’ took the whole band to bring their individual talents together to scorch and mould it into the form we hear today. This could explain why it feels like the distillation of the previous four tracks. From the fuzzed out bass, to the taut verses and the eventual release in chorus as the over drive pedals get stomped on and the dual guitars of Chelsea and Robby cut through. Dynamically the track gives space for the big moments to hit harder. As the track drops to Rab’s fuzz bass in the middle joined by some watery chorus washed guitars it adds weight as a darker chord progression leads us into a finger shredding solo before the track closes.
The band turned to Ross Alexander to produced and engineer the EP. Lending his ears and hand to the project, Ross helped shape the EP along with the band. Ross was aided by the enigmatic ‘Mr Parsnip’ for additional drum recordings. With Ebony Alexander who helped bring a visual language to the music creating art for both the single and EP.
The debut EP from Gush feels and sounds like a band much further into their career. Having only formed in early 2023, it’s a bold statement that takes their influences puts them through the Gush filter to produces something entirely themselves. The band talk about how ‘Exposure Therapy’ is a direct reference to how they feel about their release. Despite being pretty private people they’re confronting their fears of being vulnerable and expressing themselves through the release.
The band play Union Bar on June 28th with Revolution and Mucksavage.