Artist: The Heated
Album: Self-titled
Label: Pistolina Records
Rating:
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The Heated consists solely of one woman—Cristina Espinosa, along with her guitar and some homemade instruments. At first listen, Cristina’s voice is firm and reassuring, like that of an old friend who plays sparse guitar and writes honest lyrics (think of early ’90s Liz Phair). The opening track, “Hot Bastard!” is a severely catchy, foot-tapping tune sung in an upbeat tone, despite its serious subject matter. Although sung sweetly, The Heated’s quiet anger is clear in the protest-style song, “Blame Reagan” with the lyrics “This country don’t like the looks of me/Taxable income; where we’re all equal/I blame the government cuz they’re so hell bent/On making sure that I can’t marry my girl.”

The EP becomes sleepy halfway through, lacking its initial intensity, and the songs begin to unravel, creating abstract pictures of loss and confusion. It pauses to momentarily pick itself up again with “Every Imperfection,” a tongue-in-cheek song, half spoken, half sung, about breakups and rejection. The Heated’s message is simple: take the time to snap your fingers along to a good song, watch out for hypocrisy, and always remember, “Everything can be used again.”

- Review submitted by Danielle Kramer.

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