Emo Band Hot Mulligan Drops Their Latest Album, ‘Why Would I Watch?’

Midwest Emo Band, Hot Mulligan Releases Their Third Studio Album, Why Would I Watch?

Hot Mulligan released their third new upcoming album, Why Would I Watch? out on May 12th via Wax Bodega. Their record, Why Would I Watch? includes 12 tracks featuring singles, “Shhhh! Golf is On” and “Gans Media Retro Games”. The album is now available to purchase and stream. You can grab yourself a copy here.

Michigan based pop-punk group, Hot Mulligan carved their way into the music scene early on in 2014 setting themselves as a breath of fresh air and a turning point within the alternative genre. The band consists of Nathan “Tades” Sanville (vocalist), Chris Freeman (rhythm guitar), Ryan Malicsi (guitar), and Brandon Blakeley (drums). Throughout their formation as a band nearly a decade later, Hot Mulligan has released 4 EPS, Opportunities (2016), I Won’t Reach Out To You (2021), Acoustic Vol. 1 (2021), and Acoustic Vol. 2 (2022) along with two full length studio albums up their sleeves, beginning with their debut album Pilot (2018), later followed by their sophomore record, You’ll Be Fine (2020) and their latest release Why Would I Watch? (2023). 

One thing that is very special about the midwestern pop punk band is their strong dedication and persistence in following the steps laid out by previous alternative and emo bands but twisting it to make it their own style. They have made their own name and it’s no surprise that fans have gravitated towards Hot Mulligan for their authentic and truthfully raw expressions and iconic pop-punk melodies.

Hot Mulligan’s, Why Would I Watch? is a record that portrays a different level of honesty revolving around thematic topics surrounding personal trauma, grievances, and the rollercoasters of daily life struggles. The eclectic foundations of the punk genre make a solidifying appearance throughout the album along with Sanville’s passionate and raspy gritty vocals, recalling back to the early emo days. Hot Mulligan sets the new exciting era by producing one of their most dynamic and loudest albums to date transitioning them into a recognizable pop-punk band.

The album opener, “Shouldn’t Have a Leg Hole But I Do” sets the tone of Why Would I Watch? by introducing the record with an anthem sing-along with isolated vocals by Sanville that quickly transitions into a rushing and energetic punk guitar belting out cries of power and triumph. The track encompasses one of the album’s primary messages of analyzing self doubt and understanding one’s tragic past to make the most of their future in the line:

Ignoring my nature just strengthens the bond. It will stay when I am gone, so then what’s there to fix when all is wasted. All potential I have lost, every memory I’ve embossed is where I was wrong

“Shouldn’t Have a Leg Hole But I Do” by Hot Mulligan

There’s an undying urge of wanting to change and grow from your mistakes but being afraid of what lies ahead so you hide in the corner of a dark lurking in search for your own shadow for company. You become accustomed to feeling like a stray bargaining with constant resurfacing flashbacks of haunting memories, where every decision you made was wrong leading you to believe that it was the cause of your nerve wracking mental state. The overwhelming tension and anxiety within the intrusive thoughts that replays and relives in your mind creating a causing you to be paralyzed that it becomes a part of you. 

Hot Mulligan showcases their various musical abilities throughout the album and most importantly their attention to specific details within their lyricism that channels waves of nostalgia and hard hitting dysphoria. A standout track that proves their progression as a band and musicality is, “No Shoes in the Coffee Shop (Or Socks)” a summer sun filled song that contains bouncy and glimmering guitar riffs with a pop infused catchy melody that is laid against an overcast of melancholy heartbreaking lyrics:

For every crater on the moon, there’s an empty beer around the room. Only wanted sleep, could you show me my options? Nothing left to drink, holding on so the nausea might subside

“No Shoes in the Coffee Shop (Or Socks)” by Hot Mulligan

In contrast with the sparkling instrumentation, the honest and poetically raw songwriting in this track triggers heavy emotions dealing with isolation and one’s search for finding coping mechanisms, even if it tears them apart in the process. The numerous open wounds in your heart are slowly being replaced by the numbness of a chemical reaction produced by a bottle until the anesthetized reaction wears off. By overfilling yourself in unhealthy fixations to the point where you can no longer continue to mask the pain, ultimately coming to the decision and learning how to deal with the pain. 

Hot Mulligan will be part of an amazing lineup at the legendary Sad Summer Festival 2023, presented by Journeys and Converse. This festival is a rebranding and continuation of the legendary, Vans Warped Tour. This year’s lineup features bands such as Taking Back Sunday, The Maine, PVRIS, and more! Tickets and information are available here!