I like to be fully transported by a melody. A lot of songs are surface level bops that are easy and fun to sing in the car, and that’s fine and good. Those songs have their place. I like a lot of ‘em!
To me though, what makes a song especially appetizing is its ability to transport me. I look at the landscape of a song through the lens of sonic uniqueness. Feeling a certain emotion when you listen to a song is cool. Being able to feel certain places, textures, TASTES; that’s a whole different ball game.
‘Hot Chocolate’ possesses a distinctive feeling. That is what makes it tasty to me.
I’ll be the first to admit, I’m a hard sell on slow songs.
I cut my teeth on punk and uptempo indie.
I like punch and I like dirt. I wasn’t sold on the first listen through. It grew on me though.
The grit in this song is secret, and the delayed gratification is worth it
It has this vintage ski lodge vibe that is cozy, sultry, and unrepeatable. There’s a lullaby-like quality to the whole track, particularly the vocals. This hypnotic, dreamy feeling is pervasive throughout the entire song.
It doesn’t prevent it from being climatic, though. Somehow ‘Hot Chocolate’ is both sleepy and triumphant. Think like indie movie prom scene. But also, The Shining. For some reason.
It’s easy to settle into the chorus, and the guitar tone is warm but poignant.
‘Hot Chocolate’ doesn’t really have a lot of tonal or dynamic complexities, but it really doesn’t need them. The simplicity is intimate and attentive. It melts in your mouth. It’s definitely contemporary rock, but with a throwback flavor.
‘Hot Chocolate’ is effortless, cozy, and delicious.