Hang Ten – “Bummer (Baby Don’t Stop)”
Photo by Jackson & Co.
From Appleton, Wisconsin, indie rockers Hang Ten return with “Bummer (Baby Don’t Stop),” an energetic burst of contemporary pop-rock.
Once you press that play button, it’s pretty clear that Hang Ten have spent a great deal of time honing their craft in the studio, especially when placed alongside 2022’s “Balloon,” the lo-fi jaunt that initially won us over. And this makes sense, since we haven’t heard from them in quite some time. But with “Bummer (Baby Don’t Stop),” listeners are greeted by a snappy rhythm and a guitar riff that could give Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” a run for its money.
This level of refinement extends beyond the arrangement, as the vocals also land with a new level of maturity and confidence. The opening line, “I found the answer,” sets a self-assured tone that matches the track’s hook-forward energy. However, from there, the subject matter takes more of a cynical turn, grappling with disillusionment, information overload, and, for lack of a better word, burnout that sits just beneath the track’s shiny surface (which just so happens to be our wheelhouse).
On the refrain, we get those layers of falsetto that initially turned us into fans of the band, and if you’re not paying careful attention to the lyrics, it’s easy to get swept up in the top-notch production, tight, danceable rhythm, and shimmering guitar sounds; however, a closer listen exposes a sharper lyrical edge that feels especially timely right now.
“Bummer (Baby Don’t Stop)” is a natural evolution for Hang Ten, confidently expanding their sound without losing the spark that first got us hooked — and that still feels like the most important part.
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