REVIEW: Hotgirl - Blast Off

Hotgirl’s Blast Off EP lives up to its name - raw, propulsive, and emotionally volatile, it’s a thrilling statement from a band quickly establishing themselves as one of the most exciting forces in Ireland’s emerging scene. Across four tracks, the Dublin quartet tear through themes of self-doubt, frustration, identity, and release, all while threading needle-sharp hooks through walls of distortion. It’s messy in the best way - intentional and urgent.

Kicking off with 'In Your Head', the EP wastes no time in setting the tone. There’s an immediate punch to it: jagged riffs, nervy pacing, and a sense of anxious momentum that never quite resolves. Ashley Abbedeen’s vocals oscillate between sardonic restraint and full-bodied release, mirroring the lyrical push-pull of self-awareness and spiralling thoughts. It’s a track that bristles with tension, and you can see why it was picked as the lead single; it's confrontational, catchy, and deeply personal. There's a livewire energy baked into every note, as though the song might combust at any second.

'On The Brink' follows, upping the tempo and leaning harder into chaos. There’s a sneering quality to it, underscored by laughter woven into the track that feels pointed - almost mocking. The interplay between Sophie Boxwell’s wiry lead guitar and Jake Hurley’s pounding basslines adds a sense of barely-contained volatility, while Nick Stanley’s drumming keeps everything locked in and menacingly forward. It’s danceable in a manic, twitchy kind of way - post-punk if it got blackout drunk and decided to scream into a mic.

Then comes 'Sisyphus', which brings a more introspective edge to the chaos without sacrificing energy. Lyrically, it's one of the most vulnerable tracks on the record, with Abbedeen using the Greek myth as a metaphor for personal trauma and the exhausting cycle of carrying it. “As I slowly make peace with all my traumas, I start to forget why I couldn’t let them go in the first place,” she explained - and that reflection is palpable in the song. The verses are pulled back, almost meditative, before the choruses burst open like a cracked dam. It's a high point in terms of dynamic range, offering a moment of emotional clarity amidst the EP's otherwise relentless momentum. It’s the sound of a band letting themselves breathe, then screaming into the void.

Closing with 'The Stink', the band let loose completely. The track is sweaty, bratty, and made for the live setting - short, sharp, and explosive. There’s an almost playful edge to it as Abbedeen dances around the beat, vocals dripping with a theatrical sneer. It’s easy to imagine her stepping off the stage and into the crowd mid-song, mic cord dragging behind her. It’s the kind of song that thrives in basements, festival tents, and dive bars - anywhere packed and loud.

Looking back over the release, Blast Off feels like exactly the kind of EP a band like Hotgirl should be making right now - brash, emotionally honest, and ready to blow up at any moment. It doesn’t just showcase what they’re capable of; it dares you to look away. With bigger stages and louder crowds on the horizon, this feels like the ignition point.

Score: 7/10

Blast Off will be released on April 10th 2025 via Cartoon Records.

Words: Jason De Mendonca

Photo: Niamh Barry