Blacklight Hotel’s debut release, “Space,” is a thunderous proclamation to every metal devotee in need of liberation and redemption. With the guise of groovy punk rock, infused with experimental tones and hints of grunge, Blacklight Hotel engages listeners in a dialect they understand, offering a vibrant inaugural experience. Consisting of three tracks, the EP “Space” navigates through stages of acknowledgment, pain, rejection, and resentment, ultimately basking in the warmth of the sun and a sense of tranquility. Addressing themes of anguish and indignation, the record takes on an entirely new significance, transforming its sound into something intensely personal and powerful.

photo by Christopher Ian Perry

As a devoted rock music fan, meeting Blacklight Hotel was something akin to a revelation for me. Instantaneously, these guys conquered my soul. They’re like angels of agony, their music pulsates with infernal flames. Every riff, every beat feels like a cathartic release—a primal scream echoing through the depths of existence. Blacklight Hotel channels raw emotion into sonic warfare. Their sound is a visceral assault on the senses, leaving you breathless and begging for more. If “Space” is just the beginning, then brace yourselves because Blacklight Hotel is about to set the world on fire.

From the very first track, “Genevieve,” where Blacklight Hotel seemingly introduces us to the main character, it becomes incredibly cozy. Davis’s bright riffs, Jen Valdez’s incomparable vocals that seem to break free from the confines of the pitch, intrigue and captivate, forming a new sound of rock. It’s as if a light melancholy and nostalgia fill the heart from the first beat, grabbing attention. Then, in the track “Space,” the tonalities change, forming a closed circle of anxieties, while the vocals strive to break free from this circle. The complex harmonies and performance astonish and paralyze all senses, literally immersing in the sound and making you dissolve in it. In “Space,” the beauty and style of the sound are always on the verge of breaking, but they stay afloat, as if preparing for a bright denouement and finale. The aspiration for freedom and hints of a better future resonate between the notes in this track, causing chills to run down your spine at the powerful scream of the singer. It’s incomparable!

Blacklight Hotel has presented the world with a record that could be a necessary salvation for someone, and in the finale on “Gold,” the melody takes that “bright” turn. Adding a gritty sound to the guitars and demanding low notes in the vocals, this track gives a sense of new strength. It seems to me that salvation can be found precisely in the sensual inner confidence, resilience, and strength. The impeccable play and structure of the track, flawless execution, and stunning emotions in the EP literally captivate and hold onto the listener until the last beat, which dissolves in a light ambiance.

You know, this is an amazing EP where every song shines, and the production is processed and thought out to the smallest detail. You can feel the energy and strength Blacklight Hotel has invested in creating this release through the sound. Despite being only 3 tracks on the EP, they sound fantastic and memorable. It’s a bright debut, a bold statement that shows the world a group capable of igniting the stage with new flames. I strongly recommend listening to the EP “Space” to anyone in need of powerful, perfectly sounding music that can disconnect you from the world and return you transformed and strong. Flawless!

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