With “Bandages” and their excellent debut album Make Up The Breakdown (2002), indie rock group Hot Hot Heat became one of the buzziest bands of the early 2000s. 2005’s Elevator made good on their promise, with songs like “Middle of Nowhere” and “You Owe Me an IOU” proving they had a whole lot of good songs up their sleeves.
Happiness Ltd followed two years later, with triumphant songs like “Let Me In”. Then it was three years until Future Breeds, and six more years until their 2016 self-titled album. With these longer gaps, it certainly feels like the band were preparing for a permanent departure from the music scene.
But fear not – after a long seven-year break, Hot Hot Heat have returned with “Shock Me”. What is instantly clear is that this is a new HHH. The song is darker, more sultry, even a little grungy. It’s a moodier post-punk number with robotic synths, angular guitars and military drums. The vocals don’t barrage you; they entice you with desperation, chanting out “I was raised to behave, but I admit that my thoughts can be a bit depraved”. But the chorus contains plenty of power to leave the song stuck in your head.
Listen to the song here!
The Indy Review 