Label: Music For Nations
Released: 25th August 2023
Hot Milk are one of the most prolific bands on the scene, having produced three EPs in as many years. The long-awaited release of their debut album, ‘A Call To The Void’, speaks to the band’s desire to dictate their own direction, waiting until they felt the time was right. With co-frontperson Jim Helm producing much of the record, the duo are able to experiment with a variety of genres, melding the slang lyricism of British hip-hop and grime with Han Mee’s powerful pop-punk vocals and mammoth metalcore riffs. This is a band not afraid to play on the sharp side of the cutting edge.
Inspired by the little voice in the back of your head that wonders what it’s like to jump from a tall building, ‘A Call To The Void’ is decidedly darker than Hot Milk’s previous work. Despite this, their cheeky wit is still front and centre, allowing them to poke fun at their demons as they navigate modern life.
‘Horror Show’ throws you headfirst into their twisted metal circus, with the driving rhythms of ‘Over Your Dead Body’ and ‘Migraine’ adding to the album’s devilish vibe. Trademark Hot Milk humour is peppered throughout the record, with Alice Cooper making a hilarious cameo in ‘Alice Cooper’s Pool House’, proof that Han and Jim aren’t taking themselves too seriously. The band are able to show depth, though, with ‘Breathing Underwater’, ‘Zoned Out’ and ‘Forget Me Not’ emphasising their ability to write honestly and introspectively.
This is pretty much the perfect debut album. It’s a clear statement of intent that still allows them to grow into their new, malevolent sound. Hot Milk are aiming for the top, and if this record is anything to go by, it is well within their reach.
