2 LP THUMPER repress their 2022 debut album Delusions of Grandeur, following a coveted Choice Music Prize nomination for Album of the Year. The recognition for this esteemed award comes after a rigorous year of touring, appearing at big-name venues and festivals such as Reading & Leeds, Iceland Airwaves, United Islands of Prague and a stage-melting performance at Haldern Pop to a 1000-strong crowd. Delusions of Grandeur sees THUMPER in a reflective light as they evaluate their position in the wider world and consider the importance of other peoples perceptions. They question authenticity with respect to success and charge forward in the battle against pretentiousness. Theres no denying that these themes are self-involved and heady. Still, THUMPER carry it off effortlessly as the record swings like a pendulum between a lighthearted and playful tone and one that is also serious, delving deep into their psyche. Overall, the album is delightfully moody, with distortion at every twist and turn. Fiery riffs sing throughout the body of work, and psychedelic sounds creep in as much as delicious 21st-century indie-rock does getting swept up by THUMPERs explosive energy. They show no shame in writing catchy songs whilst still delivering ample fuzz. They admit that theres nothing wrong with the post-punk revival put the whole band in the studio soundbut why not take advantage of the resources available in the 21st century? Why not just make a barrier of sound? THUMPER are a band that breaks the sound barrier. Every song is steeped in harmonies and layers upon layers of guitar, percussion and filthy, emotive synths, all the trimmings with barely any room to breathe. Carefully constructed key changes add an extra level of euphoria, keeping listeners on their toes. Their philosophy is refreshing. THUMPER are keeping an open ear to musical trends and having a go at it if they feel so inclined. The albums seventh track Topher Grace is their take on emulating the speak singing style that is trending lately. Still, they make it clear throughout their album that their penchant for melody and dynamic will forever reign. Tracks like Greedy Guts and Strychnine take down the pace, teasing their choruses with stripped-back plucks and hums before songs like The Loser and Ad Nauseum deliver that THUMPER sound. On Delusions of Grandeur, elements of Shame, Idles, or even Weezer can be heard. The band corner the noise-pop market, with a maximalist approach recalling at times Irish psych alumni My Bloody Valentine on Loveless or no-wave veterans Sonic Youth on Daydream Nation. Nowhere is this recording process more apparent than on the records final act – the 20-minute Overbite Suite consisting of three songs. Overbite, The Ghost and Down in Heaven, an epic example of what a song can be. The album’s tracks range between a standard two and a half minutes and eight minutes in length, which, if anything, shows that the band are uncompromisingly making the music they want to make. They dont just cater to tastemakers or trends. Theyre just being THUMPER- and theyre having the time of their lives. Contemporaries of Fontaines D.C. and The Murder Capital, Thumper are among the leading lights of the Irish scene. Over the last two years, the north Dublin six-piece have been developing their sound – and building an increasingly passionate following. They combine intense poetic lyrics with a big punky sonic assault to startling effect. While Delusions of Grandeur features plenty of homages to classic alt-rock such as Weezer, Pixies or The Dandy Warhols, it is also steeped in the influence of contemporaries such as Viagra Boys, King Gizzard, Shame and even Idles at their most psychedelic. At other points, the sheer bombastic nature of its production recalls Irish psych alumni My Bloody Valentine on Loveless or no wave veterans Sonic Youth on Daydream Nation.
