A Post punk revival is in full swing and hits the coasts of Portsmouth with a new release by Hotel Lux. Previously attacking with a garage rock sound (which was championed by the likes of NME, Clash and So Young) before a lineup change meant a new lease on direction as the band stated, ‘We looked at our individual influences, and decided to bring in touchstones that maybe before we would have thought weren’t ‘Lux’ enough to draw from.’ Introspective and full of social commentary with a view and homage to the past but, will the album add to the genre or just turn out a straight copy?
Starting with the ‘Encore’, distorted guitars and harmonica open with vocals that have seen things. Backing vocals stick out compared to the vocals but offer a steadiness. Piano dissects the song down the middle which the acoustic guitar underlines before a ‘Blackstar’ era Bowie revamps the song to its previous notion.
Even though ‘Bitter Cup’ is a cover of a Billy Childish song they take it to another direction than the original folk song. Instrumentally like Echo and The Bunnymen during the ‘Ocean Rain’ album creating a landscape with the industrial guitars/drums and vocals which are bitter and twisted.
60s Hollywood riff introduces ‘The Fear’. Fast tempo drumming and steady bass are the driving force. Vocals act as the devil on one’s shoulder.
‘Joy’ has a guitar that’s just finished a shift on a cattle farm. Vocals offer a mix of Ska and a basic rap whilst painting with the lyrics. The backing vocals have the only melodic addition and the drums pounds as the organ whirls.
Bluesy guitars run rapid through ‘Hand of Mine’ whilst Black Francis appears to add vocals.
Radio static and scratchy guitars sprawl together before vocals bark at the listener on ‘Costermonger’. The drums pound frequently but without creativity. Lyrics leak ideas of discomfort in those in power.
‘Song for John Healy’ starts with a violin playing a singular note before a piano enters the scene. Both sets of vocals act as voices casting a trance. The lyrics sound like they’ve been passed down generations which the acoustic guitar accompanies.
Darkness is cast over ‘Another one gone’, doom ridden guitars/bass as the vocals read you your last rites. Violin gives a gothic aspect as backing vocals act as people from a time before.
Much like a traditional folk ballad, ‘Everlyn’ starts with harmonica and hints of a violin/fiddle. Vocals come in spitting poison in a drunken ramble.
The switching vocalists on ‘Nod (To The Retrospect)’ show a contrast in views. The bass keeps it all together as the guitar comes in like flurries. The song acts like a season finale wrapping everything together.
On their second outing, Hotel Lux tackle many genres showing the change in lineup has added to the overall creation. At times, the album feels like three different albums, firstly- post punk, secondly – blues rocks and thirdly- folk, However, this is tied together by the lyricism which could be likened to The Kinks or The Libertines with the social/political themes. The band is great at creating landscape through psychogeography making each song an entity on its own.
Hotel Lux: The Bitter Cup – Out 14 November 2025
Lux – Another One Gone (Official Video)
