Hastings-via-Brighton alternative rock trio HotWax have released debut album Hot Shock, one that we’ve been anticipating for a while after seeing them live on three occasions in 2024. Released via Marathon Artists, Hot Shock was produced by Catherine Marks and Steph Marziano, who comments: “With Lola’s punchy bass lines, Tallulah’s captivating melodies and Alfie’s precise drumming they truly form a one-of-a-kind band.”
First track She’s Got A Problem was released a couple of months ago and doesn’t disappoint, getting off to a frenetic start with Tallulah Sim-Savage thrashing away at the guitar, while screaming the lyrics in true punk style. It’s a rip-roaring start to Hot Shock. Wanna Be A Doll was another early release, while Strange To Be Here has a very grungy feel to it, alongside some interesting guitar and bass experimentation which reminds us of Nova Twins.
Hard Goodbye does more of the same, with bassist Lola Sam showing great work on the four string. Sam also shines through on One More Reason, providing backing vocals with a great big dose of punk rock – HotWax have such a defined sound. In Her Bedroom has to be the most explosive song on the record, as it transitions from slow grunge to very fast-paced punk – it really does feel like two tracks in the one. The band’s storytelling abilities shine through on this song: “He took her money/he took her secret/now he’s calling, out her name/he smells of needing, he smells of shame.” We’re excited to hear this one live.
Stella Mozgawa of Warpaint fame joins Sim-Savage on vocals for Lights On (with a little help from Sam). It’s a song that starts off on a lighter acoustic note, before hitting you on the head with a powerful dose of grunge. Chip My Teeth For You is one of the best on the record with Sim-Savage and Sam working so well together as they sing “I’d chip my teeth for you/Would you chip your teeth for me too?” The twenty-eight minutes of pure punk rock and grunge ends with Pharmacy, a more acoustic-led track as Sim-Savage belts out the lyrics “I cannot take this softly, back to the river where you shot me.”
HotWax have a busy spring and summer on the horizon with a UK tour and festival appearances – these new songs are going to blow the house down wherever they are played!
9/10
Standout Tracks: Strange To Be Here, In Her Bedroom, Chip My Teeth For You
For Fans Of: VENUS GRRLS, The Pill, SPRINTS
Written by: Alan Brown
