Hot Mass Reveal New Single & Video “Astroturf” And Announce New Album “Happy, Smiling & Living The Dream”

Swansea’s Hot Mass take their eclectic taste in music and throw it all into the melting pot to create some melodic, grunge fuelled, indie popping, jaw dropping, punk bangers awash with defiant upbeat lyricism. They released their debut record, Nervous Tensions, in 2016, a record filled to the brim with raw energy and young ideas. In the wake of this, Hot Mass embarked on successful tours around the UK and Europe supporting bands such as The Menzingers, Iron Chic, Toys That Kill and The Bouncing Souls. 

Hot Mass are now back with their second album, Happy, Smiling And Living The Dream, that features twelve melodic and poignant songs, the album expertly combines driving rhythms with their know-how of infusing catchy melodies. The sounds of early college rock, 90’s grunge and UK punk particularly shine through on this record. The band feel more self-assured than ever and play with themes of joy and melancholy, with relatable lyrics that take a questioning, satirical and sometimes apathetic stance on world affairs and modern lifestyles. 

“Astroturf is the first single from our new album, so it feels like a time to celebrate new ideas and avenues. Some of my all-time favourite songs are those from the college-rock era. The song embodies the punk-derived sonic textures that we love, but I wanted to pay homage to the early college/indie rock era and the free-floating guitar parts that are a staple of those genres. Bands such as Pixies and The Replacements are masters in making a melancholic song whilst still being upbeat. I really like that combination. The song focuses on the subject matter of feeling like an outsider and that internal pressure of how you project yourself. I wanted to explore lyrics that conveyed those feelings and even though Hot Mass isn’t really a band of rebellion, to me, the song feels like a mini-protest in staying true and celebrating who you are. We also wanted to convey the same subject matter in the music video for Astroturf. It focuses on characters from the lyrics in scenarios that bubble over when being put under the microscope.  It’s a little tongue in cheek but hopefully it gets the message across of resisting the temptation we sometimes have to document a life that isn’t necessarily real. To me, it’s a battle between melancholy and positivity.” (vocalist and guitarist Rhys Jenkins)

Hot Mass have today released the album’s lead single and video, Astroturf. Happy, Smiling And Living The Dream will be released in Autumn 2022 via Brassneck Records (UK), This Charming Man Records (EU) and The Black Numbers (US).