Hot Hot Heat Readies New Album, Releases Two New Jams
You’ll have to forgive the slightly outdated nature of this post — things have been insane at my job and it’s just been hell updating.
Onto some real talk though: Long story short, Hot Hot Heat is an interesting band. It appears that, over the years, they’ve become one of those bands that can’t figure out what they want to be. Disco-punk heroes? Pop-rock radio sweethearts? Sensitive balladers (yeesh)? At one point or another, you could find a track or two to convince anyone of these. Let’s not be quick to dismiss, however: despite their apparent identity crisis, they have always managed to churn out some quality songs.
Some of HHH’s best material has definitely come out when they abandon the superficial gloss and flail about the studio space. So what do you do in a situation where you’re coming off a not so great, pop-driven record? Build yourself a studio, Teach yourself how to engineer, and go back to your roots. Luckily for us, they’ve done just that.
Future Breeds is the record-in-progress, and definitely recalls the Knock Knock Knock and Make Up the Breakdown days. “Future Breeds” as a track struts along at a smooth 5/4 pace, keeps a semi-creepy guitar echo, and manages to lodge its vocal hook in without being too overbearing. But it’s lead single “JFK’s LSD” that stands out here – not only having a great title, but containing all the ingredients of a classic Hot Hot Heat track. Terrifically dissonant synth intro? Check. Repeated, semi-shouted anthemic chorus? Check. Disco-trash guitar line? Check.
Wolf Parade is great and all, but seeing how HHH appears to be pulling back from their radio-friendly avenue, I’m sure Dante DeCaro has to be a little pissed. Regardless, welcome back, gentlemen.
