Mating Ritual has finally dropped their masterful album Hot Content. Brothers Taylor & Ryan Lawhon have been fervently creating for the past few years, and only months after their critically acclaimed LP Light Myself On Fire giving the people what they want: another full length. Versatile and colorful, Hot Content showcases everything from hard rock and biting pop jams to emotional serenades.
If you purchase Mating Ritual’s 11-track record on vinyl, you’ll get two different surprise intros. At least one of them is a synthy, cinematic beginning that flows perfectly into their tropical hit single U.N.I. (watch the video below).
What could possibly follow such a colorful banger? A Panic Attack. The brothers’ characteristic dramatic vocals enter on a rasp as they continue the alt-rock album with another groove. “Falling Back” is the palate cleanser of the collection, entering an experimental landscape to tell a story of renewal: “I am a cactus and I’m full, none of the cameras think I’m cool.”
Mating Ritual show their versatility with “Future Now,” a post-punk leaning track with angsty vocals and vigorous cymbals. The album wraps up by showing their vulnerable side with an anthemic ode to romance, “Stupid Romantic Things.” The track finales with a pulsating drum and simple, lone piano.
Rather than giving anecdotes around the making of Hot Content, Ryan takes to instagram to share how he really feels:
“For the first time in my life, we’ve created something that I think can speak entirely for itself, and I’m immensely proud of that.”
The brothers dropped the album into the hands of thousands of loving listeners, and they received it with the same fire that was put into the collection. In the first few hours people were already commenting on the “heat wave that dropped today.” Multiple times it’s been named album of the year by Instagram fans, who have been spinning it on repeat since it debuted last Friday. The fire won’t burn out anytime soon, but while you can, catch these boys on tour (see dates below).
Spark the flame daily by following Mating Ritual on Instagram.
Mating Ritual have a Los Angeles date on May 23 at Gold Diggers. The band will also perform at Pappy & Harriet’s on May 16 with Goldensuns. The show is FREE. Find tickets here.
Mating Ritual Tour Dates
October 17th – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
October 18th – Vancouver, BC – Biltmore Cabaret
October 19th – Seattle, WA – Barboza
October 21st – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
October 22nd – Denver, CO – Lost Lake
October 24th – Kansas City, MO – Recordbar
October 25th – Minneapolis, MN – 7th St Entry
October 26th – Chicago, IL – Cobra Lounge
October 28th – Toronto, ON – The Drake
October 30th – Boston, MA – Great Scott
November 1st – Washington, DC – Songbyrd
November 2nd – Brooklyn, NY – Baby’s All Right
November 4th – Atlanta, GA – Aisle 5
November 5th – Nashville, TN – High Watt
November 7th – Houston, TX – Bronze Peacock
November 8th – Austin, TX – The Parish
November 9th – Dallas, TX – Three Links
November 12th – Phoenix, AZ – Rebel Lounge
November 14th – San Francisco, CA – Cafe Du Nord
November 15th – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar
November 16th – Los Angeles, CA – TBA
