I Won’t Reach Out To You

Hot Mulligan / I Won’t Reach Out To You / 2021 / WAX-001

Just when I thought the pop-punk scene was starting to dry up, along came Hot Mulligan. Categorized as “post-emo”, the Lansing, Michigan based group pack a tight punch that’s hard to ignore. Hot Mulligan may not re-invent the formula but what they do provide is comfort food that is enticing for any pop-punk / emo fan. Following in the footsteps of their second LP you’ll be fine released in 2020, I Won’t Reach Out To You serves as an unofficial continuation. After being signed to No Sleep Records for three years, Hot Mulligan shifted gears to a new Philadelphia based label Wax Bodega - I Won’t Reach Out To You is the labels first release!

I Won’t Reach Out To You picks up some similarities to Free Throw’s What’s Past Is Prologue LP structurally and tonally. Opening track One For the Boy is a short, simple, slowed down piece of clean guitar, distant snare drum, and vocals that fades away until closing track Please Don’t Cry, You Have Swag picks up the pace and continues the story. Sandwiched between the two are three upbeat tracks that Hot Mulligan are typically known for. Featuring Mark Hoppus (which doesn’t actually feature Mark Hoppus lol), Losing Days, and Pop Shuvit (Hall of Meat, Duh) are all big head-banging tracks full of regretful and contemplative lyrics from iconic vocalist Nathan Sanville. Pop Shuvit is my favorite track showing off some fantastic drum parts from Brandon Blakeley as well as some bright tones on some Reverend’s from guitarists Chris and Ryan. It’s a great little EP that is best played loud and on repeat.

I Won’t Reach Out To You was produced by Gary Cioni (Free Throw, Sorority Noise) out of Pilegrove, New Jersey. The album artwork and layout was created by Andrew Zell. If this is your first time checking out Hot Mulligan, I recommend digging into their first two LP’s Pilot and you’ll be fine.