Psych rockers Hot Garbage release their sophomore full-lenght ‘Precious Dream’

Though Toronto rockers Hot Garbage’s signature tinge of moody, heavy psychedelia remains present on Precious Dream, their forthcoming sophomore album careens at high speeds into a darker world of searing post-punk riffs, grappling with themes of dread, loss, the resilience of the human spirit and the highs and lows of solitude. From the onset, elegant yet brutalist sonic architectures provide the scenery for an escape route, while cryptic poetic spurts act as surreal signage. By the end of the journey, we are left with a strangely pleasant void, but also with an uncontrollable urge to backtrack into the outfit’s beautiful 36-minute musical trap.

True to form, prolific producer Graham Walsh (Holy Fuck, No Joy, !!!, etc.) – with whom, Hot Garbage recorded their critically-acclaimed debut full-length, RIDE – does right by the band, masterfully harnessing the four-piece’s unique brand of rock & roll, setting in motion a parallel universe where phones are not what they seem, lobotomy has its merits, lower is actually better, and tunnels stretch the very fabric of spacetime. Fans of Sonic Youth, Frankie and the Witch Fingers or Joy Division should welcome a confused stroll down this romantic if dystopian opus, for a cathartic and tender sense of resolution awaits.

Precious Dream drops on January 19th, 2024 via Mothland and Exag’ Records. 

Precious Dream is a collection of intense psych doomy punk songs, mainly written while processing heavy feelings. It was made in isolation, so it sounds different from something made through a collaborative process. It was mostly made remotely and pieced together after the songs were complete.

The album was recorded at Palace Sound in Toronto with Graham Walsh. Like the last record, it’s mostly recorded live off the floor. We used the developed chemistry to delve a little deeper into creating a more cohesive sound. Graham is always open and receptive to our vision, and is always down for off-the-wall experimentation.

We made the album art ourselves. It features photos Alex took at home and on tour in Europe. It’s meant to be both brutal and pretty, like the record.

– Hot Garbage

The album comes out today via Mothland and Exag' Records and is accompanied by a new music video for deep cut "Erase My Mind" by artist Laura-Lynn Petrick...

“Erase My Mind”, from Hot Garbage’s new album Precious Dream, is an alluring slow jam about clearing your head from unwanted thoughts. Fueled by a solemn drum loop, and featuring minimalistic guitar voicings as well as what could very well be a Casavant Frères organ run through a 10-story high Leslie cabinet, this monumental cathedral of a song promises to melt the heart of hopeless romantics and cynics alike… A psychedelic tearjerker for the ages. The deep cut is accompanied by a video by artist Laura-Lynn Petrick.

[...] a noisy blast of psych-rock.
– BrooklynVegan

[“Snooze You Lose”] delivers a dynamite jolt, zipping past with manic chuckles, sharp punk licks, and distinctively eccentric production from Holy Fuck’s Graham Walsh. This gritty, mocking tune does more than merely dazzle — it sends your senses spinning, thanks to thunderous beats, supremely warped bass, guitar, and organ, and echoing voices floating over a foreboding surge of sound and resonance.
– Post-Punk.com

Hot Garbage dive deeper into their brutalist, post-punk and psychedelia roots at full throttle with their new album — something made overwhelmingly clear by "Snooze You Lose" alone, which busts the door open in a barrage of distortion, feedback and maniacal laughter.
– Exclaim!

I was hooked from the first listen as, once again, Hot Garbage have delivered another psychedelic trip which transports the listener elsewhere. 
– Louder Than War

Reminding us to let go of things that no longer serve, the hopeful tinges of ["Erase My Mind"] is complimented by gritty emotive stylings and monumental psychedelic peaks.
– Earmilk

[...] Hot Garbage has just released the second single “Mystery,” a cathartic and powerful psychedelic track that echoes the garage beginnings of Osees or the spooky songs of Frankie and the Witch Fingers [...].
– Pan M 360