Hotgirl are a Dublin based band, consisting of lead vocalist Ashley Abbedeen, lead guitarist Sophie Boxwell, bassist Jake Hurley and drummer Nick Stanley. They made their exciting first digital debut in 2022, with their collaboration on LocalBoy’s track ‘Control’ which has a much different sound to their current music and shows just how much they have developed their sound since.
Their new single ‘On The Brink’ was released on January 16th, as a predecessor to the release of their upcoming EP ‘Blast Off’, which is set for lift off on May 10th. Hotgirl are an undeniably brilliant up and coming band that has pricked up the ears of many artists and alt-rock fans alike- having previously hit supporting slots with The Libertines and Sprints. It is without question that they are destined for the stars.
With this track you can clearly hear the earlier roots of their sound, which has been woven with new experimental textures, darker themes and even stronger production. You can feel their artistic language maturing and inviting in more listeners to be a part of their world. Hotgirl has had such a strong start to their music career, that this is just simply cementing what we already know about them- they are here to dominate the world. With songs like ‘Teenage Dreams (And Creams)’, ‘In Your Head’ and ‘The Cat’ that are punchy and stunning, there isn’t much more you would think they could bring to the table. But ‘On The Brink’ is an impressive addition that smacks you in the face with the harsh realities of life, which can be a tough pill to swallow- however, Hotgirl has found a way to carefully encase these themes in such a charming pill that you won’t have any trouble getting it down. Often songs that approach such uneasy topics can make you feel so lost in the elicited emotions, but this song really just creates a feeling of empowerment in facing it. They guide the listener through the sombre tempos and crashing cascades of Abbedeen’s mind and are invited to embrace catharsis in sharing the waves of fear, anger and acceptance of past trauma: “I’ll be strong and unafraid/ It’s killing me but I won’t let me die/ I have found my purpose now/ Won’t look back I’m replacing my shadow”.
The stages of the personal narrative Abbeddeen is communicating, is so perfectly mirrored in the structure of the song- it is almost taking you through stages of grief, with the harmonic structure seamlessly carrying you through. The track opens with a slow pace, reflective in its tone, then suddenly shifts into a gut punch chorus filled with thundering drums, crashing cymbals and potent vocals that are complimented by the rhythm of distorted strings. This then transitions into a quiet, positive state that develops gradually creeping in whistles and screams in the background. This bridge feels like a voice to an inner fear of so many people, that “we’re all sad when we’re alone”, emphasised with the echoes of malicious laughing surrounding the vocals. However, we then finally enter into one final powerful chorus, fighting back against the painful memories. Where the lyrics shift right at the end, you can sense an emotional resolve as Abbeddeen is “embracing their shadow” and expressing this power we can experience in sharing ourselves with others, and accepting what has been to find new happiness.
Hotgirl as a band are already there, they just need to be further bolstered up with more strong exposure and the community standing behind them. This is not a situation where you listen to their tracks and try to strain your ears to hear the potential- you are instantly met with it from your first listen because they already are living it. Most genre labels feel reductive to their sound, but if you are into anything alt-rock, 90s reminiscent, dreamy yet gritty and relatable, then Hotgirl’s new single ‘On The Brink’ and their discography is likely for you.
Amy Shephard
Image: ‘On The Brink’ Official Single Cover by Daniel Borgonovi
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