Hot Milk
Breathing Underwater

Their November tour dates are getting sold out strikethroughs, their debut album, A Call To The Void is just days away, and their new single, ‘Breathing Underwater’ has been deployed to punch us straight in the tear ducts. It’s a wonderful moment in Hot Milk history.

There’s no doubt, this song is about emotion, though it doesn’t stop the guitars getting cranked up and the chorus is a powerful rich moment. Nevertheless, it’s soul-laid-bare songwriting here with deeply personal lyrics.

I have never cried more in a studio than the day we wrote breathing underwater.

Han Mee

The words open alongside a swimmy keyboard accompaniment, with an acoustic guitar joining for the pre-chorus. The power is then dialled up to max for the chorus. It pumps along at a steady 120 beats a minute but with a weighty feel. The pre-chorus also gets a great beat for subsequent showings.

The vocals switches are present in this song, with the baton passing from Han to Tom, with both combining for the pre-chorus and chorus. In this case, the switch also helped manage the emotional overload.

Don’t think I could have sung the second verse of breathing underwater even if I wanted [to], it’s just too close to the bone ‘n’ I’d crack. So lucky to be able to pass the mic to Jim to sing on my behalf. He’s my best friend and he got me.

Han Mee

This song is working on all levels. On a musical level, it’s a perfect demonstration that a change of mood doesn’t have to be a diversion from your sound. The lyrics have emotional power. The video presents both with a visceral literally. Love it.

Watch Hot Milk – ‘Breathing Underwater’.

Breathing Underwater Lyrics

Am I an imposter or
Just a good liar for no good reason?
Think we got a problem now
Symptom of a bad fallout, glitters fading

I can’t believe I became the disease
And the snakes that sing are learning to scream in my dreams
That they dragged through the dirt, and now painted in hurt
My lungs are filling with the sea

I tried breathing underwater to drown out the doubt
I cracked under the pressure and nearly bled out
You said you’d always save me, so where arе you now?
Feels like I’m failing, I’m dancing while drowning alone
(I’m dancing whilе drowning alone)

Feeling self-conscious now
Overthinking but out loud, screams in silence
Always overcompensate
In this world I can’t relate, need some guidance

I open my mouth but the words don’t come out
And the deepest blue sinks in me so low
Can’t control my self-doubt that I hold
Its touch is so cold these waves are crashing down on me

I tried breathing underwater to drown out the doubt
I cracked under the pressure and nearly bled out
(Nearly bled out)
You said you’d always save me, so where are you now?
Feels like I’m failing, I’m dancing while drowning alone

I tried breathing underwater to drown out the doubt
I cracked under the pressure

I tried breathing underwater to drown out the doubt
I cracked under the pressure and nearly bled out
(Nearly bled out)
You said you’d always save me, so where are you now?
Feels like I’m failing, I’m dancing while drowning alone

I’m dancing while drowning alone
Feels like I’m failing, I’m dancing while drowning alone

Written by Fenton on 20th August 2023

Steve Fenton writes in our music, words, and culture categories. He was Editor in Chief for The Mag and covered live music for DV8 Magazine and Spill Magazine. He was often found in venues throughout the UK alongside ace-photographer, Mark Holloway. Steve is also a technical writer and programmer and writes gothic fiction. Steve studied Psychology at OSC, and Anarchy in the UK: A History of Punk from 1976-1978 at the University of Reading.

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