Hotel Cola, the four-piece outfit hailing from somewhere between indie’s dreamiest realms and the heart of the Britpop resurgence, returns with their sophomore single, Only You. Following the warmly received debut, Different Now You’re Gone, Only You sees Hotel Cola develop their heartfelt indie sound at a more delicate pace, and confirm their trademark sound of reverb-drenched guitars and melodic soundscapes.
Their songs have something of a vintage quality about them – like a shot from a disposable camera or one of your dad’s vinyl records. But that’s exactly what they’re aiming for – timeless indie that transcends generational divides. Or, as they put it: ‘the band you and your dad like’ (he does, by the way – my dad, that is).
Hotel Cola
From the outset, the track embraces listeners with a cinematic indie guitar riff, purring percussion and the soft metallic sound of cymbals subtly guiding the pace, allowing the earnest vocals to glide throughout the verses. Within just two singles, Hotel Cola has established a laid-back attitude that, looking at their Spotify stats, has earned them popularity in Australia. It’s hardly surprising, since they wouldn’t sound out of place in a playlist between DMAs and Gang of Youths.
The lyrics weave a narrative that’s both melancholic and nostalgic, the band explaining: “Only You documents saying goodbye to a larger than life character, who is destined to be remembered long after grief fades.”
The instrumentation takes centre stage in the bridge, with intricate guitar work packed full of memorable moments that captures the fine balance of vulnerability and resilience mirrored in the lyrics. As such, Only You continues to cement their status as purveyors of emotionally resonant indie anthems.
What’s also noticeable is that Only You not only stands strong on its own merit, but beautifully complements Hotel Cola’s debut, maintaining a distinctive sound without the feeling of repetition that emerging artists can often fall into the trap of. Instead, they both have their own distinct charm with a thread tying them together, hinting at the potential for a really cohesive EP in the near future.
These boys are already looking to be ones to watch this year, and I for one am very much looking forward to catching them live some time.
Released February 16, 2024, listen to Only You by Hotel Cola here.
