Deceit. Indignation. Catharsis. These are just a few of the themes that simmer and spill from Bitter, the long-awaited debut album from London-based post-punk grunge band Ghum, released on 17th June. But while the aforementioned subjects might sound a little savage, the album is also brimming with hope and resolution. Bitter has been a long time coming. The band – Laura (vocalist), Jojo Khor (guitar), Vicki Ann (drums) and Marina MJ (bass) – met back in 2016, over Gumtree. Each of them hail from different parts of the world – Spain, Malaysia, London and Brazil – and bonded over bands like Warpaint and Hole, Pixies and The Cure. Being in a band of all women was also important, from inception. Everything snowballed swiftly after meeting. They released their debut EP Ghum in 2017, followed by The Coldest Fire in 2019, out via Everything Sucks Music. Those initial years were defined by back-to-back gigs and tours around the UK and Europe, with support slots with Dream Wife and L.A. Witch. They also received praise from The Fader and CLASH to The Line of Best Fit to the Guardian, who named them “Ones to watch” and their track “California” was debuted by Steve Lamacq to wide acclaim.