Can’t overstate it – writing here just enables you to find so many cool projects you almost certainly wouldn’t otherwise. Earlier this year, our writer Christopher covered Hammok with their debut album, look how long lasting everything is moving forward for once. I, very regrettably, didn’t check them out at the time despite his glowing review and it sounding like something I would like. Seeing we got an offer to premiere the Norwegian rock band’s latest work reminded me that I neglected the album and in going back to it, found it to be one of the more exciting hardcore/noise rock releases I’ve heard this year.
Likewise, what we’re premiering today is equally exciting, possibly more so. Back so soon are Hammok with a video for their new single, “one minute”. Check it out right here, right now:
As much as I love their new album, “one minute” has me curious what they’re doing with their future project. This track is profoundly, deeply textured – you get the same driving instrumentation as before, but it’s pulled back a fair amount from its noisier hardcore foundation that was prominent on their debut. Now you’re sweetly assailed by a more post-punky candor. Guitars are slathered in effects in a tasteful, atmospheric way. The bass is cleaner, providing a guiding line through the track while drums skitter and clash on either side of you. Vocals are impassioned, almost desperate in their pleadings and reflections. The instrumental break toward the end is especially powerful, cashing in hard on melody and memorability. I fear this song’s part specifically will haunt me for the rest of the week – good.
This is all, of course, the point of the track – the band expounds:
‘“one minute”. The calm after the storm that was long lasting. This is one of those songs that just slips out of you when you least expect it. While writing the long lasting album this song was finished early in the process but never really fit the album but there was always a feeling the song deserved to be putout for people to hear. The song is a collection of thoughts, feelings and observations throughout traveling and playing shows the past two years. Both the good and the bad. So here it is, presented in isolation, the odd one out. NO SCREAMS THIS TIME!!!!!!!!!!‘
“one minute” single cover art
The video is artful without pretension, showing the band’s vocalist strongly emote over time, clashing with the environment that reminds me of some places I used to hang out when I was younger. He thrashes, kicks, jumps, runs, and swings during the song’s climax. We even get a little smirk of concern on his face as others jump over his head on while seated on these large, cold concrete stairs – the sort of things done with abandon when we were younger just to see if we could or how it would feel. He delivers vocals for the song in a deadpan manner, grounding the video and song in a serious tone, even as skaters elegantly thread around him on a ramp. Nicolai Kjernet did a great job combining more natural shots of everyone with planned, framed ones, giving the sense that ultimately this was just a fun day out with each other that happened to produce something evocative.
Already, Hammok are showing a marked expansion on their sound with “one minute”, a will to explore that’s complemented by the skill and passion to do so. Whatever’s next, I’m excited for it, especially if it shows a whole other side of the trio so soon after their debut album. Keep it locked to the band’s socials – Facebook, Instagram, TikTok – for more news soon. In the meantime, I highly recommend skating over to their Bandcamp to peep look how long lasting everything is moving forward for once, out now via Thirty Something Records, along with whatever the future holds.
Band photos by Nicolai Kjernet
