Ghum – ‘California’

Beautifully savage.

‘California’ is the latest release from the post-punk group Ghum. It’s an intense and haunting affair about a “love story that was condemned to end badly.” Vocalist Laura Guerrero Lora begins softly singing in her native Spanish language that sets a beautifully poignant tone to the song and can only prepare you for what’s to come. As ‘California’ develops, Lora bellows and howls in English similarly to Savages’ Jehnny Beth. It’s powerful and causes you create your own ideas of failed plans to run away to California with a former lover.  

Musically, ‘California’ starts with arpeggic chorus-tinged guitar chords. The intensity is amplified as the guitar lines become saturated with distortion, favouring single string melodies. The drum beats and basslines are classic post-punk and work wonderfully in projecting and realising the idea of California for the two former lovers in the song.

Words by Matthew Brocklehurst

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