EP Review: dodie - 'Hot Mess'
The soundtrack to modern life, dodie returns with a brand new EP titled Hot Mess.
dodie’s brand new EP, ‘Hot Mess’ sonically mixes the traditional with the modern, while carving out thoughtful stories that embrace the chaos of life. Much like the soundtrack to contemporary living, dodie nods to unsureties and turbulent emotions. From her debut album Build A Problem, which debuted at number 3 in the Official UK Album Charts – ‘Hot Mess’ is the next chapter in self-discovery and self-reflection.
dodie has amassed over 1 billion streams to date, with 7 million followers across all platforms. She’s sold out over 100 consecutive shows globally, with featured performances on Late Night with Seth Myers and Sunday Brunch, while also becoming an ambassador for Depersonalisation charity Unreal.
An intimate look into her thoughts, this new project sees dodie gifting her affecting vocals and stellar songwriting skills once again. With definitive line, “I’m a hot mess”, the EP opens on the title track, “Hot Mess” and is followed by “Got Weird”. Pulling you instantly into dodie’s world, sonic progressions in the minor key ripple across oscillating synths and her almost-whispers above the sonic landscape.
They explain: “Hot Mess is the result of the messiest, most intense, painful and exhilarating start to the year. It’s a wonky, dramatic but playful cycle - charging forward but around and around, again and again. There are flickers of real moments (I really did dry heave after reading a text) in an overall desperate plea to find a way out that in no way is going to come from me!”
Taking an endearing turn to Spanish guitar-led music, “Lovely Bones” allows dodie’s vocal arrangements to shine further. With lush harmonies and sparse folk features, dodie’s songwriting shines over chorus arrangements that lead into the EP’s final track, “No Big Deal (I Love You)”. All about the moments before saying, “I love you”, the track’s vulnerability and candid lyricism crescendos into a burst of spacious vocal layers and bubbling synths - these layers slowly strip away until what’s left is dodie’s raw vocals over soft piano chords.
Edgy , playful and a little dark in the most glowing way - dodie embraces emotions as they are. Unapologetic and honest, dodie’s ability to touch her audience deeply has always rang true - and ‘Hot Mess’ is no exception.
Words by Rachel Min Leong
