Hot Milk – I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I’M DEAD | EP Review

As Pop Punk reminiscent anarchy of the mid noughties is fighting the good fight for dominance in modern pop culture airwaves, a new breed of attitudes is making this musical revival an even more exciting and fulfilling experience.

Although major influencers within more corporate leaning musical talent pools stay true to the teenage angst appeal of the genres most recognisable and respected predecessors, Hot Milk are the latest in a long line of elevators to breathe new life into the musical genus with their sophomore EP release – I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I’M DEAD.

With recent rambunctious performances under their belts, including opening up the West Main Stage at the Reading and Leads Festival, causing a stir at Download Pilot as well as sending fans into an electrified frenzy at the Heavy Music Awards; Hot Milk are doing Manchester proud with their zesty post-adolescent exploration into the depths of morbid curiosities and manic depression, while achieving a strange sense of comfort which radiates off of all five tracks included on the record.

Through the process of divulging into the latest addition to Hot Milk’s discography, we’ve found it rather difficult to identify la crème de la crème on this enticing record due to the bands unquestionable ability to write a plethora of banger worthy singles. However an interesting notion woven into the fabric of the EP’s third track ‘The Good Life’ feels much more poignant the deeper you dive into its context. Emulating a sermon to the downtrodden, this arena rock blaster almost seeks to question the will to break past listener’s brokenness to obtain “a slice of the good life”. Considering the overreaching post-emo eccentricity of IJWKWHWID; this track feels purposely soaked in sarcasm when examining the appropriation of attainable emotional stability, especially considering so many in society are still ignorant to the devastating reality sufferers of mental illness go through on a day to day basis. Its primary function feels like a fuck you anthem to those who wish to diminish the suffering of others, as well essentially pointing out the absurd ideology surrounding what a “Good Life” actually looks and feels like.

Besides the obvious intrigue of the deeper subversive subtext in Hot Milk’s lyrical content; a favourable quality within Hot Milk’s grasp is their effortless relatability, even when they’re delving into the depths of complete emotional depravity, which is perfectly exemplified on one of their latest singles ‘I Think I Hate Myself’. Although its subject matter can be troubling due to its bottled up self-hatred mentality reaping havoc over the narrator’s joint string of consciousness, it also harbours an extremely playful and comforting demeanour that can only come from some level of understanding of one’s own flaws while finding the will to trust and develop closeness with someone whose also navigating the same mental and emotional hell hole.

IJWKWHWID’s infectious and unadulterated honesty through the aches and pains of modern civilisation can only be described as the audible equivalent of a paradoxical paradise of heavy pop bop soundscapes. Although it’s short and sweet, its tangled mix of inspiration is a welcomed escapism from the reality of facing this scary world alone, plus it has the added bonus of a no skip guarantee.

I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I’M DEAD is released September 10th via Music For Nations. Pre-order the record here.