The Gainesville Florida post-punk hardcore band enlist a star-studded lineup on their latest album.
To paraphrase the commonly used quote about MF Doom, Hot Water Music is your favourite band’s favourite band.
Although, much like The Stooges and Leatherface, they were the right band at the wrong time. If Hot Water Music were to release their debut album in 2012, they’d be huge. Instead, having first come on the scene in 1994, the Florida-based outfit slipped through the cracks and never made it past cult status. Still, their influence is undeniable, with bands like La Dispute, Trophy Eyes and Modern Baseball popularising so many elements of the iconic punk outfits sound among modern crowds.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
All you have to do is look at the impressive list of feature artists who pop up to pay their respects throughout the groups 10th release, VOWS, to see how many musicians they made a clear impression on. Alexisonfire’s Dallas Green rears his head for stadium-rock belter ‘After The Impossible’, alt-rockers Thrice drop in to provide the backing for ‘Fences’ singalongs, while hardcore frontrunners Turnstile lend their hands to the anthemic grooves of ‘Remnants’.
Although, at no stage does VOWS feel like a legacy album. It’s a group sticking true to their tried and tested formula, and this time around – 10 albums in – it’s more relevant than ever. It’s midwest emo without the sap, delivering a torment and maturity that can only be gained from years on the road.
It may well be the huskiest that emo has ever sounded, but boy does it sound good.
VOWS from Hot Water Music is out now. Listen here.
