Lauran Hibberd has enjoyed a wave of momentum over the last couple years. Slogging away at the indie scene led to signing a record deal with Virgin Music, which saw the release of her debut album Garageband Superstar in 2022. Since then, Lauran supported All Time Low on their tour of the UK and US, building her profile and reputation on both sides of the Atlantic. But alongside these career highs also came some intense lows, with the death of her father occurring weeks before the release of the album, as well as the breakup of a long-term relationship.
Now, a couple years later sees the launch of Girlfriend Material. An album that sees the return of Lauran’s personality and quirks, alongside the trademark Grunge guitars and throwback sound we’ve come to love. For an album all about figuring things out and finding one’s self after life-altering events, Girlfriend Material is Lauran back to her best again.
“Making this record came oddly naturally, it felt like it was supposed to come out of me and I’ve never felt so attached to a body of songs like this. I think I’m at a point in my life where I’ve started to really experience ‘life’, with going through losing a parent, having a life altering break up, living on my own for the first time, and exploring who the ‘f*vk’ I actually am. Everything I am right now is in this album. It’s the best thing I’ve ever made, and I’ve worked with some incredible people in the process. It’s definitely been the one thing that’s kept me going over the last year, and I hope it can do the same for other people. with love, Lauran Hibberd (100% girlfriend material)”.
The record begins with ‘I suck at grieving’. It details the struggles Lauran had with attempting different ways to grieve, while also illustrating memories and feelings involving her Dad. Blending together driven guitars with heart-strung melodies, it has all the characteristics of Lauran’s sound, with the added weight of its heavy topic. It is powerful, and sees some of the most heartfelt, passionate vocal performances on the record. Setting the emotional foundation for the rest of Girlfriend Material, it is a wonderful tribute, a fantastic opener and easily one of the best – if not, the best – songs Lauran has written.
‘jealous’ follows with an acoustic performance that takes influence from the likes of Avril Lavigne, sounding like a modern day ‘Complicated’, with drawn out harmonies paired against hard-hitting chords that continue to drive the emotional aspect of the album. The acoustic guitars are set aside as ‘mary’ chimes in with a banger of a performance. As Lauran tackles a serious girl crush with the energy of some of her biggest songs. Complete with roaring guitars and a massive chorus, it’s sure to become a setlist staple.
‘happy for you’ is a heartache-led ballad that uses pain as defiance to deliver another song that’s filled with loaded riffs and drums that sound straight from the best Grunge songs of the 90s. ‘2nd prettiest girl (in the world)’ sees Lauran return to her most sarcastic, shifting an awful moment into an anthem for those who have experienced the same backhanded compliments, with hugely entertaining lyrics that inject a lot of fun into the record. The point is driven further on the title track, which feels like a direct attack at a particular person.
Girlfriend Material is a well-rounded collection of tracks that showcases Lauran Hibberd’s ability to fuse stadium-filling anthems with intimate, acoustic numbers. Resulting in a listen that displays the growth of an artist who has been through a lot, and how she got out at the other side. The inclusion of more acoustic-led tunes (‘anti-fragile’ especially) is a welcome addition. Highlighting that Lauran is more than capable to carry a song with melodies and lyrics instead of riffs. Although, it does help make those riffs hit harder too.
Where Garageband Superstar felt stuck in the past, Girlfriend Material feels like it is always running towards the next chapter. Backed by an artist who has it figured out more than ever.