HotWax Blazes a Trail with Their Blistering Debut Album 'Hot Shock'

Get ready to rock with HotWax’s debut album ‘Hot Shock,’ a thrilling exploration of grunge and punk that showcases the next great guitar band from Britain.

The Rise of HotWax

Back in 2023, HotWax burst onto the scene with their snotty breakout single, ‘Treasure.’ The band quickly garnered attention and acclaim, rightfully being heralded as one of the next great guitar bands to emerge from Britain. Following that, they unleashed a couple of urgent, riff-heavy EPs and even snagged support slots with their childhood heroes including the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Royal Blood, and The Libertines. Not to forget, they also graced the cover of a popular music magazine. Now, the Hastings trio takes all those expectations and their road experiences and channels them into their debut album, 'Hot Shock.'

A Ferocious Opening

The album kicks off with the electrifying track, ‘She’s Got A Problem,’ which hits you with a hammering assault of guitars, drums, and bass. Following that, ‘Hard Goodbye’ starts out scuzzy but rapidly transforms into something more polished while retaining its vicious edge. The tracks straddle the realms of grunge, punk, and swaggering rock & roll, with each song on 'Hot Shock' serving as a ferocious, unruly beast that’s allowed to stomp around.

Raw Emotion and Attitude

Much of the venom in these tracks comes from vocalist Tallulah Sim-Savage, who delivers each sneering lyric with surgical precision. In the riotous track ‘Wanna Be A Doll,’ she tears into her own destructive tendencies, while the rapid-fire ‘Hard Goodbye’ showcases her ability to spill her guts. Drummer Alfie Sayers and bassist Lola Sam also contribute plenty of attitude, providing slinking breakdowns delivered with pummeling passion and precision.

A Joyful Chaos

The chemistry within the band is palpable—despite a menacing undertone woven throughout 'Hot Shock,' they don’t shy away from the playful rock’n’roll excess. Tracks like ‘In Her Bedroom’ exude a giddy, reckless abandon, while the relentless 'One More Reason' comes complete with a whirring ray gun guitar solo. And how can we forget the sleek groove of the existential crisis anthem ‘Strange To Be Here’ and the smirking bite of ‘Dress Our Love’? Clearly, HotWax knows how to turn uncomfortable angst into an excuse for a grand time.

Capturing Energy in Production

It’s no simple feat to capture the raw energy of an electrifying guitar band on record, but a stellar production team—consisting of Catherine Marks (who has worked with boygenius and Wolf Alice), Steph Marziano (known for her work with Picture Parlour and Hayley Williams), and Stella Mozgawa from Warpaint—has managed to bottle HotWax’s chaotic, cathartic rage without dulling the edges. Even when the band slows down, they maintain their fiery spirit. The rumbling track 'Lights On' allows the tender poetry of the lyrics to shine through:

"I wanted it all and I wanted it for me."

There’s rampant desire and prickling uncertainty in 'Chip My Teeth For You,' while the closing track, ‘Pharmacy,’ is both pretty and fearless. “I cannot take this softly,” sings Sim-Savage as HotWax once again goes hard.

Rocking the Dance Floor

Like the Queens of the Stone Age at their party-starting best, HotWax’s debut album is filled with filthy rock’n’roll that’s made for dancing. Indeed, the next great guitar band has arrived, and they’re here to make a statement with ‘Hot Shock.’

Album Details

• Release Date: 7 March, 2025
• Record Label: Marathon Artists

In conclusion, ‘Hot Shock’ is more than just a debut album; it’s a declaration that HotWax is ready to take the rock scene by storm. With their combination of raw energy, catchy riffs, and insightful lyrics, they’ve crafted an album that promises to resonate with fans old and new.

• What genre does HotWax's music belong to? HotWax's music blends elements of grunge, punk, and rock & roll.
• When was the album 'Hot Shock' released? The album 'Hot Shock' was released on 7 March, 2025.
• Who are the members of HotWax? The members of HotWax include vocalist Tallulah Sim-Savage, drummer Alfie Sayers, and bassist Lola Sam.
• What is the theme of the song 'Wanna Be A Doll'? The song 'Wanna Be A Doll' explores themes of self-criticism and destructive tendencies.
• Is HotWax going on tour? Information on tours is typically announced on the band's official website and social media platforms.

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