I first got a taste of South London band Hot Wife at last year’s LOUD WOMEN Fest, where I was immediately hooked on their riot grrrl-influenced ‘revenge songs’. So I was delighted to hear that they had now released their very first full-length EP, with the awesome title Life Is Beautiful and I’m Hating It.
Life Is Beautiful and I’m Hating It is a five-track cherry bomb of rock ‘n’ roll audacity. The EP takes no prisoners, starting right away with what is, for me, my personal favourite of the five tracks, ‘Kicked Out of the Band’. A full-on rock ‘n’ roll punk anthem, with almost deadpan, sassy vocals working so well against the dirty, heavy guitars. It’s a song about being kicked out of a band for being a woman: “Got kicked out of the band for not being a man, got kicked out of the band, this was a pissing contest.” This is pure revenge rock ‘n’ roll served with a side dish of kickass.
‘Doberman’ keeps the momentum going with a no-holds-barred rock ‘n’ roll thrashing and another serving of those sassy vocals. These songs are not quiet and timid; they are LOUD and uncompromising. There’s a brilliant combination of heavy, dirty guitars and rhythms that make you want to move, with an attitude running through everything they do.
Midway through, things take a slight swerve with ‘Little God’, a catchy pop-punk ditty with a melody that really sticks, while still keeping those big riffs going. It’s a change of direction without ever dropping the ball. ‘(Not) Totally Okay’ then goes straight back into full throttle from the outset. The plan seems to be rock out or get out, and the plan is executed with precision.
Life Is Beautiful and I’m Hating It ends with a live recording of ‘Knife’, which is a great way to round things off. It doesn’t sound drastically different from the studio recordings, but somehow you can still feel that it’s live. There’s an energy to it that comes across, alongside all that sass and those grungy guitars. Chef’s kiss.
I’ve witnessed Hot Wife live twice now, and their songs really come alive on stage. It’s that same combination of attitude and energy that makes them such a joy to watch, and this final track is a reminder of just how much I enjoy seeing them perform.
Hot Wife are surely a band to watch, so buy the EP and, if you get the chance to see them live, DO IT. You won’t regret it.
Life Is Beautiful and I’m Hating It is out now and you can buy it here.
Hot Wife Socials: Instagram/Facebook
Review by Hayley Foster da Silva
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