Michigan natives Hot Mulligan return onto the scene with Why Would I Watch, their third full-length record. This collection of songs finds the band elevating every aspect of their trademark sound, with guitar hooks that sink themselves into the listener’s brain and lyrics that hit with such sincerity that their resonance and universally relatable messages are undeniable. Rich in its honesty and straightforward nature, Why Would I Watch touches on the nuance of living with depression and anxiety. Frontman Tades Sanville states “No one who’s depressed is crying all the time. The media likes to portray deep depression as sadness, but most of the time it’s indifference.” This theme carries itself through the majority of the album, as the tracklisting juxtaposes moments of chaos and intensity, screamed vocals and noisy guitar riffs, with softer and simmering seconds of soothing acoustic instruments and lullaby-sung vocals.

Opening track “Shouldn’t Have A Leg Hole But I Do” is a perfect example of the contrast the band toys with throughout the entire album. Beginning with a folk-like, lo-fi acoustic introduction and gradually introducing production elements such as synth lines and slowly growing drum sounds into the mix before exploding into a fast-paced punk rock track dealing with feeling stuck, complacent, and questioning one’s own purpose. “This Song Is Called It’s Called What It’s Called” plays with the same idea, kicking the instruments in to correspond with emotionally charged lyrics about longing for past moments back, to live them differently or just to experience them once again. Acoustic track “Betty” conveys the heartbreak of losing a loved one through the story of a pet, with a shaking and vulnerable vocal performance that is a standout amongst the band’s already heartfelt and outspoken catalog. Lyrical content throughout the record holds the most earnest sentiments the band has ever presented, feeling relatable in a truly comforting and familiar sense.

Standing in sharp contrast to the aforementioned tender moments of the record, there are several instances of the band firing on all cylinders as one would come to expect. Slamming drums and huge guitars back relentless vocal performances from both vocalists Sanville and guitarist Chris Freeman. Early moment “It’s A Family Movie She Hates Her Dad” introduces itself with a catchy and hook-driven structure before gradually growing more explosive and unexpected with time, before ending in a hectic frenzy of yells and an abrupt silence. Early single “Shhhh! Golf Is On” keeps on a similar formula, with ear-worm guitar hooks adorning a stripped back verse and a chorus that leaves the listener singing along instantly, before the bridge and outro bring about an anger that elevates the fervor of the song, and the message it conveys, to a peak. Instrumentation is in perfect synergy with vocal performances and lyrics throughout the entirety of this record, with each chord change and cymbal hit feeling intentional and as if special attention to detail was paid.

Why Would I Watch is without a doubt Hot Mulligan’s finest work to date. This compilation of songs feels well thought out and cohesive while still maintaining a broad dynamic spectrum and never feeling disjointed or hyper-experimental. The band have honed in on all the best elements of what makes them great and capitalized upon them, without ever feeling like a recycle or rehash of the standout tunes that came before these.

9/10