Hot Milk are one of those bands that have taken the scene by storm, unfortunately for a long time the band had only one Ep and a handful of singles behind their name. Leaving me, and I guess many more craving more from the UK band and with “I Just Wanna Know What Happens When I’m Dead” lets see if they deliver.
Opening/ title track “I Just Wanna Know What Happens When I’m Dead” kicks right of with guttering screams by Han and eerie bass. Telling you exactly what you’re in for on the EP. The poppy chorus contrasts with the darker tones of the verse, but brings a catchy hook that keeps stuck in your head. Lyrically the song is filled with morbid curiosity and ponders the question, what happens after dead?
The second track “Woozy” seems to take things slower, but after its haunting first verses the song quickly builds to the chorus with an incredible hook, the song then quickly gets into the bridge before ending with one last chorus. Which, makes this the shortest song on the album. Lyrically the song describes a cycle of self-destructive behavior and the protagonist reasonings behind them. I like how the short and fast nature clashes with the dark subject of the lyrics.
Middle track “The Good Life” has the same energy as “Woozy” but is structured more like a pop song, complete with the instrumental build-ups and the hook on the chorus. Its use of guitars, synths and the sing along quality of the chorus itself. Lyrically the song describes the current state of the world and provides social commentary, with the good life being a hypocritic utopia.
“I Think I Hate Myself” goes forward with the melancholy subjects of the Ep and follows the protagonists while they slowly while away in Depression and morbid curiosity. Instrumentally the song gives the guitar the most time to shine, while it just kicks forward with all it’s energy. The best part of the song is its emotional ending.
“Split Personality” marks the end of the EP and focuses more on the electronic elements of “Hot Milk’s” sound, vocally this is the hardest hitting song on the album, while it keeps having its hooks. Lyrically the song explores addiction and the protagonist feeling like they are their own enemy.
The five songs featured on “I Just Wanna Know What Happens When I’m Dead” fly by quickly, but they are a blast. The pop feel of the album feels like a big contrast from the melancholy and existential nature of the lyrics, but it just works. The only complain I have about this eps is that it has just five songs.
Songs of “I Just Wanna Know What Happens When I’m Dead” you should listen to!
“I Just Wanna Know What Happens When I’m Dead”
“The Good Life”
“Split Personality”