Hot Milk: Corporation P.O.P.
England Is Burning...
The UK rock band Hot Milk has just released their new album Corporation P.O.P. This record isn’t just rock music, but a direct, politically charged statement. Between wars, economic crisis and uncertainties around the world, it is probably no surprise that it’s such a political album.
For some it might be a surprise though that a lot of the things on this record were done physically, and despite that there are a lot of house inspired songs as well, Hot Milk tried to stay away from overly produced digital sounds. They wanted to create a cohesive record that is distinctly Hot Milk from start to finish and they succeeded. The band recorded the album with live performances in mind. Even though, it’s quite varied, it takes you on a journey and songs logically transition from one genre to the next.
Lyrically the record was written in two weeks but there are clearly no compromises in terms of the messages. It’s touching on a lot of important political subjects, with its main focus on Northern Britain. The title of the album itself, Coorporation P.O.P., refers to what vocalist Han Mee’s grandad calls tap water. The lead singer was inspired by this to draw an analogy illustrating pain and consumerism running through everyone’s home nowadays. In one of their interviews the band says Further out we’ve gone the focal point starts to narrow down closer to our home, referencing their experience with touring and the process in which they write songs. The videos for the singles are shot near where the band is from as well, around Manchester. The aim is to find inspiration in the social problems around the area and to reflect on their own experiences.
The opening track How do I Make the Devil Fall Asleep sets the tone of a solid record. At times it might sound a bit similar to Atreyu especially when Jim Shaw is singing but the harmonies between the two vocals are very strong and they complement each other perfectly.
The second song on the album, Insubordinate Ingerland, was one of the singles that got released about a month prior to the record. It’s solid and memorable, probably one of the more Hot Milk sounding songs on Coorporation P.O.P.. The video reminds us of Green day America Idiot with the UK flag hanging in the background, which is quite interesting considering Hot Milk are supporting Green day on selected European dates including a sold out show in Amsterdam on the second of July.
The lead single from Coorporation P.O.P., 90 Seconds To Midnight is one of our personal favourites from the record, the video is featuring comedian Frank Skinner and some of the shots remind us a lot of Turnstile in terms of composition and framing. However, unlike Turnstile here everything is happening very quickly, this video is by no means slow and melancholic, it’s fast and urgent. Hot Milk delivers a wake-up call for all of us. Let’s face it, the unfortunate reality nowadays is that the world is drowning, and activism is no longer optional.
Hot Milk also released singles Swallow This, The American Machine and the newest addition Sympathy Symphony. Swallow This is bravely calling out media manipulation and overwhelming control over society. It's bold, aggressive, and blatantly honest. The American Machine on the other hand talks about the imperialistic rhetoric coming out the USA lately. The theme of the album throughout is to release freedom and revolt, no wonder it’s touching on such political subjects as singer Han Mee has a degree in politics and is clearly trying to make the best use of it.
Visually, the album doesn’t hold back either. From the cover art to music videos, the imagery reinforces its rebellious message. Corporation P.O.P. is more than a rock album. It's a revolution in sound and thought. Powerful, provocative, and perfectly timed. One striking visual says it all: Fuck nationalists. The band isn’t afraid to confront systemic issues head-on. The album could be seen as a weapon for deafens as we see England burning, and it hits hard with both sound and message.
