Oakland-based rockers The Hot Takes unveil a fun, anthemic sound throughout their second EP, The Hot Takes II. Acclaimed for their spirited live performances the past couple years around the Bay Area, The Hot Takes stir with a sound that melds the peppy allure of ’70s punk with stylishly confident ’80s new-wave.
“Up All Night” is among the standout singles here, featuring a spirited vocal presence that guides into a title-referencing soaring; the live-without-worry ethos melds beautifully amidst various vocal layers and a debonair guitar solo that follows the memorable hook. “We’ll be getting it on ’til the break of dawn, and singing in the rain,” the vocals let out there. “And we’re staying up all night.”
Multiple highlights show throughout the EP, as well. “Drop Dead on the Dancefloor” struts a punk-friendly invigoration in its heavy guitar pulses and ardent vocal swells, while the moody synth/guitar interplay of “Barely in Love” embraces ’80s new-wave inspirations in memorably melodic form. From nostalgic cuts like that to enthused punk-touched efforts like the concluding “Cannonball,” The Hot Takes II impresses with its charismatic, hooky rock sound.
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“Drop Dead on the Dancefloor” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
