Hot Glue have a songwriting style that's intrinsically earnest.
Jangly guitars, punchy drumming and appealingly insouciant vocal harmonies – Hot Glue navigate big feelings, long-overdue apologies and friendship breakups on Hatchet.
Composed of siblings Pearl and Lily Harnath – frontperson and bassist/backing vocalist respectively – plus drummer Henry Lucas, this Melbourne trio infuses the ride-or-die intensity of adolescent relationships into an addictive set of edgy-yet-syncable songs.
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The lyrics paint vivid pictures – a full moon on prom night, slept-in makeup, limousine rides and past lives – with repetition often used to great effect (eg. “Can’t finish what you started / Can’t finish what you started…” – Roadkill, the band’s latest single).
Arrangements enhance each individual song’s message throughout, giving the floor to Pearl’s nuanced portrayals: “Words like these fall / On shoulders that are small” – Slow Death’s vulnerable vocals are cradled by minimal instrumentation. Standout track Limousine opens with gentle strumming, drums notably absent ‘til beyond the one-minute mark.
Confessional closer What A Shame (“I know it doesn’t seem it / But I am a romantic in my way”) builds slowly, until suppressed emotion finds cathartic release through uninhibited wailing, pummelling drums and an unhinged guitar freakout.
Elsewhere, a howling werewolf pack prowls through Final Girl’s conclusion and Consequence’s guitar solo is electrifying.
Ever wagged a uni tute to hang with your mates in the caff, just in case your crush happens to wander through for a durry break? Then Hot Glue’s for you.
LABEL: DITTO MUSIC
RELEASE: 31 AUG
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