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It’s been two years since HOT MULLIGAN broke through with Why Would I Watch, and in that time, the band has gone from underground favorites to one of pop-punk’s most talked-about names. After years of being praised in niche circles, it finally felt like they were getting the recognition they deserved. The 2024 Warmer Weather EP kept their momentum alive, and now, with their fourth full-length album, The Sound A Body Makes When It’s Still, they’re out to prove their staying power once again.
Considering how much of the past couple of years the band has spent touring, it’s surprising they found the time to craft something so polished. Yet, this new record shows no signs of being rushed. The opener, Moving To Bed Bug Island, begins with a subdued, reflective tone before crashing into the energy of And A Big Load, the lead single and a more typical entry point. That contrast sets the stage for an album that balances driving, high-energy tracks with slower, moodier moments, revealing a band that has grown more dynamic and confident in their range as we are treated to an absolute treasure trove of new and excellent HOT MULLIGAN hits. It Smells Like Fudge Axe In Here contradicts the humorous title with an honest and raw performance from both vocalists.
Their songwriting feels sharper than ever, and the dual vocals of Nathan “Tades” Sanville and Chris Freeman remain one of HOT MULLIGAN’S strongest assets. Their back-and-forth delivery packs emotional weight, especially on songs like Island in the Sun and Bon Jonah, with the latter tackling themes of mental health with raw honesty and a conversational flair. While these themes aren’t new territory for the band, the execution feels more impactful thanks to the album’s richer sonic palette.
Despite the humorous song titles, this album is packed full of heart and brutally honest lyrics full of regret, particularly with “it’s 5am in Tokyo, half a world away. I’m sitting in a parking lot and you are in your gave” hitting you like a ton of bricks, it’s almost unforgivable that this particular song is called Monica Lewinskibidi, we can’t even escape the brain rot in music it seems. Milam Minute is a short acoustic number backed up by a simple tinkering piano which sees a more earnest sounding Sanville delivering a lump in the throat moment. Going full throttle once more, the track Cream of Wheat Of Feet Naw Cream has that quintessential emo sound that was so prevalent throughout the noughties yet somehow manages to feel fresh all the same, it’s also pure mosh pit vibes too. Mix Master Wade On The Beat continues the vibe of tracks to scream along to in your car on the way to your boring job and once again brings out a cathartic feel to anyone who will listen to it before powering through Carbon Monoxide Hotel and the spoken word This Makes Me Yucky.
It’s safe to say that HOT MULLIGAN hasn’t abandoned their playful side. Let Me See Your Mounts and Monster Burger And A $5 Beer throw back to the band’s roots with their signature emo riffs and high-energy chaos, echoing earlier favourites while keeping things fresh. We’ve learnt by now that a funny song title does not a funny song make, Slumdog Scungillionaire is a frenetic anguished track that once again sees your heart strings behind pulled at. The screaming verses create a beautiful offering before we are softly led by the hand to the song’s end. My Dad Told To Write A Nice One For Nana So This Is It sees the album come to it’s glorious close and truly gives reviewers on a restricted word count a run for their money but it ends the album on a tender note that does actually feel like a hug, and that’s something we all need every now and then isn’t it?
In the end, The Sound A Body Makes When It’s Still feels like HOT MULLIGAN leaning fully into who they are: raw, sincere, and unwilling to compromise. It’s not their flashiest record, but it’s one that rewards patience and deep listening—and it will likely become a fan favourite in no time and one that will surely send them on their way to super stardom.
Rating: 9/10
The Sound A Body Makes When It’s Still is set for release 22 August via Wax Bodega.
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