Ronan O'BrienTHUMPER make a return with their sophomore album, Sleeping With The Light On. A band known for their huge sound, the sextet have taken a step back and looked inward on their latest project.
THUMPER
THUMPER are, in my opinion, one of the most exciting bands in the current Irish music scene. The six-piece band that features two drummers was formed in 2019 by frontman Oisín Furlong Leahy and quickly gained a reputation for their impressive live performances. I consider myself fortunate to have had the pleasure of seeing the band a number of times, and they never cease to amaze.
2022 saw the release of the band’s debut album, Delusions of Grandeur. Noisy, energetic and syncopated with pop-style hooks, it’s no wonder the album was among the nominations for the Choice Music Prize that year. Following numerous performances at big festivals and many well-respected venues, a follow-up album was almost guaranteed.
Sleeping With The Light On was conceived during the infamous Covid lockdown and birthed in remote Donegal in 2024. The band released the first taster with “The Drip“ last year, which I loved. While the band continued to release a number of singles to promote their upcoming album, I abstained from listening, waiting for the full album instead. And it finally came this month.
Always The Victim
The album opens in true THUMPER fashion, with snarling guitar riffs and splashy drums in “The Rip“. Fast-paced and bright, it’s a strong opening by the band. A nice catchy hook teamed with that repetitive riff makes it a head-bopping anthem. The vocals are drowned out by the intensity of the sound at times, which can distract from the lyrics. Nonetheless, it’s a solid welcome back from the band and perhaps one of their shortest tracks to date.
The intensity is alleviated immediately in the foreboding “On and off Again“. While there are many layers creating that wall of sound associated with THUMPER, the volume is noticeably lower. While this may be an attempt by the band at creating a cleaner, less distorted sound, it lacks an edge. That being said, the cleaner guitar sound cuts through the soundscape especially in the outro, making for a more palatable sound to many.
“Bad Mood“ continues with the same level in volume, this time the guitars taking a back seat in the mix. The vocals are at the forefront and lyrically the hook is repetitive. It’s an attempt at a radio-friendly indie rock song and it doesn’t really work for me. The shredding guitar solo and the impact punch of the false break are definitely high points on this track, but that’s about it I’m afraid.
Flick The Bag
One of my favourite tracks off the album is the lead single, “The Drip“. While I have covered this previously, I’m happy to indulge again. The guitar sound is cleaner than what I’ve seen from THUMPER previously, and it works incredibly well here. Mechanical and repetitive, they provide the hook in such an enjoyable manner. The mix is perfect here, every element cuts through perfectly and the themes of burnout are encapsulated so well in the lyrics.
“My New Blade“ is another track that unfortunately fails to grab my attention. While I commend the symbiosis between the guitars and vocals in the chorus, lyrically the repetition ruins it for me. The song does transition with the inclusion of an eerie spoken section introduced by completely stripped back guitar riffs, but it comes across as a weak, rushed idea to complete the song.
Thankfully the old-style of THUMPER makes a return in “Gang Signs“, with beautifully toned guitars and omnipresent drums. Furlong Leahy’s vocals are starkly different in the verses, totally laidback and absent from that confrontational delivery. That does change in the chorus, where the band delivers an almighty punch with a fantastic hook. The guitars are unleashed in the outro, like a rabid dog snarling at anyone in its way.
I Thought I Could Change You
The impending sound of the guitars in “The Engine“ creates a mood of anticipation. But THUMPER don’t explode as expected, instead taking a much more controlled approach. Dipping into a grunge style, it’s a breath of cool air from a band that act like a volcano at times. That being said, I can’t say I like or dislike this song. It just exists.
The eruption certainly comes in the following track, “You Didn’t Hear This From Me“, with snarling guitars and thundering drums. Funnily, the bass comes through strongest in certain parts of the song and that creates such a cool layer to the music. The backing vocals shouting in assistance make this another anthem-style track, rife with warnings. It becomes a bit pop-punk at parts and the overlapping dissonance in backing vocals makes it a dizzying experience.
The ten-minute “Middle Management“ is another flash of brilliance from THUMPER. Bursting with fuzzy guitar tone that chomp endlessly throughout. The vocal performance is fantastic also, with emotions of frustration flowing forth. The band’s ability to manage long tracks deserves recognition. Tirelessly the song swells with guitars and drums battling for supremacy, creating such a huge sound. The vocals return in a ghostly, psychedelic style, like a reminder eating away at your brain. Overall, the song sounds like a more refined cut from the band’s debut. It’s brilliant.
The album closes with the strangely ambient “There Will Be Blood“. A spacey harp-like melody opens the track, with acoustic guitar accompanying the vocals. An electric guitar shreds ominously in the background, before the track really opens up to a fuller sound. The vocal performance is smooth and the band is so tight, it’s a fantastic ending. It’s a totally different style from THUMPER and it leaves me wanting more.
Final Thoughts
Sleeping With The Light On sees a new style for THUMPER. With a few outliers, each track is less than 5 minutes in duration and tap into that indie rock style that is more suitable for radio play. Unfortunately, the band heading in this direction doesn’t do a whole lot for me.
That being said, the band certainly try some new things that I liked a lot here. While I understand the desire and necessity of evolving one’s sound, I preferred the tracks where the band sounded similar to what I’m used to from them. The huge sound and sometimes lunacy of THUMPER is what made me fall in love.
I have mixed feelings about this album. THUMPER are a band I like a lot and the refined sound definitely brings out a different side to the band. There are a few tracks that failed to impress me, and that’s hard to admit about a band I really enjoy. It’s like your girlfriend getting a new haircut that you hate – you still love them, but…y’know. Perhaps my abstinence from their singles caused my expectations to be different. Still, the good outweighs the bad here and that’s good enough for me.
