Snake Eyes - 'Hug Me' Featuring Pabst
Brighton grit-pop rockers Snake Eyes release hug me, a track that radiates positivity and togetherness.
The band has a huge year ahead, with a string of UK and European tour dates alongside acts like Dune Rats, You Me at Six, and South Coast neighbors Kid Kapichi.
Lead vocalist Jim Heffy has been open about his struggles with mental health, sharing that he was signed off work due to an anxiety disorder. During his recovery, this song became a positive affirmation for himself, but now the band has given it to anyone facing dark times. With dance-punk instrumentation layered over simple, repetitive lyrics, the track pulls the listener into its electric storm of optimism.
Teaming up with German punk band pabst, Snake Eyes delivers a uniquely upbeat sound for both groups. While both bands are known for their fun, witty punk music, their work often leans into darker tones or socio-economic themes. Here, Snake Eyes takes a more spiritual turn, and despite the track’s lyrical simplicity, it remains deeply personal.
The accompanying video is just as eccentric, serving as a pastiche of The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony music video. It follows Jim Heffy walking down the street, searching for a hug but repeatedly being rejected. The result is both tragic and funny, perfectly capturing the song’s sincerity and humour.
hug me speaks to the rigid emotional expectations placed on men, urging its audience to "share the love" and embrace one another. The video comes to a satisfying close when drummer Thomas Coe-Brooker finally hugs Jim, leading into a crash- and riff-heavy outro.
Overall, the track is raw and honest, saying no more than it needs to while lending itself beautifully to a confident, swaggy walk down the street.
Words by Adam Mir
