We shared the trailer for Goodness, the forthcoming album from The Hotelier last month, and now the band have shared the lead single ‘Piano Player’, as well as a prologue 7″ to keep you occupied until the full record’s May release.
‘Goodness Pt. 1’ is the song from the album trailer, a relatively restrained and full of vivid, nostalgic writing which conjures a world full of both bright sparks and wide, flat darkness. That said, there’s a sense of wonder and hope that seems to represent the titular goodness, though how this will evolve across the album itself remains to be seen.
“When the sun rested on olive shoulders
and the wind kissed the back of your neck,
I would lay and absorb in the silence,
in your language I haven’t learned yet.
In the tune of the national anthem
sing the words while the corrugate bursts,
while our burning desires crackling.
We exist in the unified verse.”
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‘Piano Player’, the lead single from the record proper, sees the tempo increase somewhat, though the sense of joy remains (abetted by the lovely video). Again the lyrics are incredibly detailed, packed full of strong images and well-written thoughts so that the song becomes a pop punk poem, though there are sing-along segments too.
“A kid half my age, baby’s breath and meadow sage clutched in her hands like trophy game, just like the wild world was tame, was granted home and tender care into an awkward piece of ware three-quarters full or quarter-drained and both adversely sure how long they will sustain.”
All in all, The Hotelier look set to put out a well-written, intricate album that also comes with an instinctive, emotional side, balancing accessibility with depth. You can pre-order Goodness and the Goodness Pt. 1 7″ now from Tiny Engines. The band are set for a pretty extensive tour this spring/summer with the likes of Rozwell Kid, Told Slant, Bellows and Loone. Check out the dates on the posters below:
