Spike is the synthpop project of Hannah McLoughlin.

Under her own name, she released an experimental electronic soundscape EP ‘The Tower’ in 2020 and was a regular performer at Cafe OTO. But adept at flute, EWI and synth, Spike plays more to her singer-songwriter instincts, influenced by leftfield artists such as Rose McDowall, Chris & Cosey and Frank Tovey.

Her self-titled debut long player embraces drowsy avant pop, angst-laden synth-punk and droning hauntology. The song that got Spike wider attention, her deadpan electronic cover of Warren Zevon’s ‘Werewolves Of London’ is included and its gothic reimagining effectively sets McLoughlin’s avant pop manifesto to deliver a brand of macabre disco dealing with the undead and the inhuman.

A sombre Italo-based number set around the hook of PET SHOP BOYS ‘Heart’ and a squelchy bass sequence, opening song ‘Disappear’ shouldn’t work on paper with McLoughlin’s anxious contralto, but it does and is a total pleasure. Following on, ‘Breaking The Wave’ is marvellous DIY synthpop with hooks galore while ‘Dying On The Vine’ takes the pace down for an emotive lament.

‘Unending’ references Ursula Le Guin’s Sci-Fi novel ‘The Left Hand of Darkness’ and recalls BOOK OF LOVE in its rhythmic patterns as McLoughlin showcases her fragile vocal range over deeper rumbles. The melancholic Motorik rave of ‘Tiquetonne’ interpolates ‘Con Te Partiro’ aka ‘Time To Say Goodbye’ as made famous by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and again highlights the eclectic world of Spike.

The frenetic pace of ‘Event Horizon’ adds further tension to the despair in its black hole narrative and clears the air for the wonderful Sci-Fi moods of ‘Fortuna’, McLoughlin’s knowing tribute to synth pioneers Delia Derbyshire and Daphne Oram. Following the serene hymn of ‘No More’ that draws from the minimalist folk sensibilities of Vashti Bunyan and Sibylle Baier, the ‘Spike’ album closes with the glorious angelic oompah of ‘You’re Missing’ which sees our heroine emulate the sadly departed Trish Keenan of BROADCAST.

Short and sweet, this varied debut showcases Spike as a delightfully odd talent who provides a fresh playful take on electronic avant pop seeded by that uniquely British eccentricity. Vulnerable and visceral, despite the melancholic traits, this record is something of a joy!

‘Spike’ is released by Gob Nation as a vinyl LP and download, available from https://gobnation.bandcamp.com/album/spike

Spike plays The George Tavern, Stepney Green, London E1 0LA on Saturday 5th September 2026

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Text by Chi Ming Lai
30th July 2026