New Music: Hope – Shame

German quartet Hope has been described in the past as sounding as if ‘Portishead formed in Berlin.’  Trip-hop meets post-punk might seem an unusual combination, but when you hear Shame, you will find yourself liking the resulting sound.

The first thing that strikes you about the song is its upfront approach to the subject matter of the lyrics. An unsentimental, unsparing account of the experiences singer Christine Boersch-Supan has gone through with anorexia; it creates a real emotional connection with the listener. Her vocal style, calm yet firm, makes you feel like you are living the lyrics with her and sharing her deepest emotions.

And that ‘Portishead in Berlin’ summary of their sound? It’s accurate to an extent, but there’s a lot more going on here. The trip-hop elements help set the scene but don’t dominate the song. The same can be said for the classically post-punk quality to the rhythm section. There’s a lightness of touch to the track that the British band rarely achieved, also less emphasis on mood and more on expressing feelings through the arrangement and lyrics. Shame is a song that is reaching out, not looking inwards.

Hope and touring through Europe this February and March with We Are The City, with dates in the UK, Germany, Austria, and The Netherlands on the schedule. Details on live dates, as well as other ways to listen and buy Shame besides Spotify, can be found on Facebook and Instagram.