Five years. That’s how long it’s taken Manchester pop-punk duo Hot Milk to release their debut album, capitalising on a string of high-profile shows including a support slot with Foo Fighters and general next big thing hype. ‘A Call To the Void’ was pieced together between Los Angeles and Manchester and it’s ultimately an album that tells the story of its own making, including the toll it took on its creators. But was it worth the wait?
Well, yes and no. After the intro track Welcome To The…, the album kicks off with Horror Show, where snarling guitars sit atop a bouncing, drum ’n’ bass beat, like a crossover between Hot Milk and Pendulum.
Bloodstream, a propulsive pop banger with hooks reminiscent of Stand Atlantic flirting with electronic pop, then keeps the energy up.
Unfortunately, that’s when things start to come unstuck. Alice Cooper’s Pool House feels like a filler song, especially when the man himself appears for a skit at the end that doesn’t stick the landing.
That said, this is more hit than miss even if the pacing is off. Over Your Dead Body does feel like an album closer in its orchestral moments and skyscraper chorus, though there’s still four songs left. Breathing Underwater is a tender, heart-on-sleeve account of their own imposter syndrome and tribulations making the album.
Amphetamine and Forget Me Not are largely forgettable, ending the record on a more dour note, and while ‘A Call To the Void’ was a long time in the making, the end result is often tepid rather than hot. Despite this, it’s still got some of Hot Milk’s strongest songwriting to date alongside the filler.
Hot Milk Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Sat November 18 2023 - GLASGOW SWG3
Sun November 19 2023 - NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms
Tue November 21 2023 - BRISTOL Trinity Centre
Wed November 22 2023 - LONDON O2 Forum Kentish Town
Fri November 24 2023 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Institute2
Sat November 25 2023 - MANCHESTER Manchester Academy
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