Brighton’s Guru are on fiery form with crushing new single “Suntrap”

At times delivering a profound staccato bark, others a full-on yell over a mighty ensemble of guitars and drums; vocalist Tommy Cherrill is on fiery form. As his bandmates amalgamate influences from barbed post-punk to crushing psychedelic riffs, Cherrill’s fury and disdain is both invigorating and imposing in equal measure.

Drawing parallels with other riled contemporaries, “Suntrap” proves itself analogous with the mood of many regarding current events. As the noise subsides, Cherrill bids, fairly aimlessly, for everyone to “take a little time”. A clawing guitar refrain maintains tension before the song ends in a final flurry, but it’s that moment of quieter, uncertain pleading that effectively rounds off Guru’s rousing concoction of anger and doubt.

“'Suntrap' is a vocalisation of helplessness; a four minute flurry about how the decisions of those at the top affect those at the bottom”, explain the band. “From lamenting that the poor lad "should've just stayed in bed" to the cry that an orchestra couldn't represent his suffering. The song eventually cascades into an ambiguous plea to "take a little time". Aimed at who and what for? We're not sure either”.