Hot Water Music - Shake Up the Shadows EP

With Shake Up the Shadows, Hot Water Music design another effort of abrasive, forward-thinking punk

Bruised and broken, disheartened and deep in the heartland of emotion, Hot Water Music design another effort of abrasive, forward-thinking punk. Beat up but sincere, the band never glorify the situations they find themselves in either. They tell mighty tales through their crushing music, tales of swept up glass and unforgettable nightmares. 

Lead singer Chuck Ragan utilises his voice like a speaker stuck to the heart of the world, spearheading morsel sized revolutions. They’ve always been punk rockers unlocking doors to dark rooms and then lighting them up like fireworks.

“By Any Means” starts the EP with Ragan’s gruff vocals interlinking with the instrumentals. He rips the rulebook here. He wishes to take on the world by shining light on it. “Denatured” begins swiftly, carrying chords like clouds carrying rain. The storm brews, the drumbeat excels. The vocals here are more subtle here rather than raucous. “Rebellion Story” is a stake into the heart of judgement. Ragan sings about carrying on, moving forward without looking back. The signified rage is apparent.

Throughout their history, they’ve fine-tuned a sound which may not dominate, but what it does do, is connect people. Their hearts are in it, are yours? 

This EP sticks in the mind and the lyrical content is some of the band’s best to date. Optimism isn’t on the agenda, a war cry doesn’t come to fruition, but what it has energy in abundance and age doesn’t slow this outfit down one bit. 

(Epitaph Records)