Candy Coated Lie$ - Hot Milk

Here’s another piece from my old blog, since and moving them all over to here. 

Hot Milk is a group coming from Manchester. Their music is alternative; I would say its similar to a lot of the emo music from the 2000s, which is fitting as they call themselves, Emo-powerpop. I would say that they're singing style reminds me of a lot of Yungblud or Stand Atlantic, so if you like their music, you might like Hot Milk.

When looking into this song, I found out that they wrote this song due to their frustrations with the current social climate. Though the song is based on that, I think we can all relate it to moments when we are frustrated in life. I can definitely say that this year holds a lot of frustration in it for many. Perhaps if 2020 were a movie this would be the theme.

I love the music video as it reminds me a lot of Evanescence's Everbody's Fool video. The idea of selling 'candy-coated lies,' as it starts with an advertisement for lies. I don't know why I enjoy Tele-shopping parodies so much, but I do.

This song starts with the line 'Just about done livin' this life.' Showing how frustrated with the world they are, as they are ready for it all to be over. My favourite line in this song is also in this verse, which is: 'words and phrases lock me in cages.' People often don't realise the impact that their words can have on a person, and people can end up locked in their own head thinking about it. Something so small as a few misplaced comments can impact self-esteem dramatically. This is what that line means to me. We try so hard to not listen to the backhanded words, but they still hurt. It can feel like the world is 'weighing on [you]' for this reason'.

The Pre-chorus says, 'Stay away, you push me to the edge, I need a tidal wave to drown out all the pain in me.' This line to me symbolises that even though some people try to sugar coat words to help people. They are often hurting the person and pushing them further out of reach. As they say, honesty is the best policy. I think it is better to be honest, as people can get over being hurt by virtue faster than the hurt of being deceived. This is the songs meaning to me. As the chorus goes on to state 'Just about to break, I can't stand the taste of Candy coated lies'. It reminds me of empty promises, although you don't think about it being harmful, to some people, this small thing can hurt the most. Especially if they're 'not as brave as [they're] letting on to be'

The song also has a reminder that we often have to think about ourselves before others. Saying, 'Losing my breath but I'm alive, Should have spent more time fighting for me, fighting for me'. Sometimes we get so lost in pleasing people, that we forget about ourselves, but we should take more time doing what makes us happy. Perhaps regretting the past, as the singer is looking at the past. One recurring theme in this song is pain, but it feels to me more like a mental pain rather than a physical one. This theme is hidden within the lyrics, you might not immediately see it, but it is there, much like mental illness. You can't see it, but it is a real problem.
Let me know what you think of Candy Coated Lie$ what does it make you think of? Do you like it? I’d love to know.