Gush – Empathology (2025)
Bursting onto the music scene in 2023, Belfast’s Gush has quickly earned a reputation for energetic, blistering, confident performances, winning hearts at festivals and sold-out headliners. Yet, you don’t have to be at the show to enjoy the force of the foursome as they take the heart of their energy to international listeners through moving releases. With their well-received 2024 debut EP, Exposure Therapy, Chelsea Andrews (vocals and guitar), Robby McCammon (guitar), Robert Millar (bass) and Darren Clarke (drums) defined themselves as a punk-inspired group; however, they are anything but definable, sauntering through punk, indie-rock, alternative rock, grunge, and any other heavy, in-your-face style available. The latest addition to their discography is the single, ‘Empathology’.
Following the well-received tracks ‘Your World’ and ‘Like That’, ‘Empathology’ delves into a darker, moodier, heavier brush of sound for Gush. Produced by long-time collaborator Jonny Woods, ‘Empathology’ leans strongly toward 90s grunge. Dragging me immediately back to the days of Hole, particularly with the reminiscence of Courtney Love lingering in Chelsea Andrews’ obscure vocals, the new single is a shining concoction of crashing drums, scorching guitars and a pulsating bass.
In my opinion, Gush is not a band to merely be heard; it is one to be experienced. With ‘Empathology’, you are set adrift in a dark mire of gritty, grungy sound that clings to your body as you attempt to walk across the swamp. Twinkling with kaleidoscopic instrumentation, that darkness has a sheen that evokes a desire to fall into its allure, but you know you don’t particularly want to succumb to its tragedy.
Moody and brooding, ‘Empathology’ is an ode to those trying times in an uncertain society. Interestingly, while the darkness is on the cusp of overwhelming, Gush jumps out to hold you with an intricate narrative and resilient emotion. Andrews explains:
“’Empathology’ is half about wanting to feel the pain of everyone around you so they don’t have to, and half wanting to share it with them, grow closer and connect on a deeper level. I’ve created my own subject, Empathology, the study of empathy.”
Find out more about Gush on their Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was sent to us by Old Crows Promotions
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