"Hotel Mira - Pefectionism" Album Review

To start off my series of reviews of albums which had an impact on me, I thought it would only be fair to start with Hotel Mira's album, Perfectionism! Released Valentine's Day of 2020, this album was one of many which helped me get through the early stages of pandemic lockdown. I've been listening to Hotel Mira since I was in high school and they were going by JPNSGRLS, and to say their music means a lot to me is no exaggeration. In fact, my signed copy of their self-titled EP is something of a prized posession of mine!

So what kind of sound does Perfectionism bring to the table? I'd describe it as something of an energetic alternative rock, with some peppy beats and some somewhat-depressing lyrics. This is, for lack of a better phrase, exactly the vibe I love from my music! There is something magical about a song that you can dance AND cry to. Versatility! I'm especially fond of the second track, This Could Be It For Me, particularly the line "I'm brimming with questions I'm not gonna ask / Afraid of the future, obsessed with the past!". This is followed by another stellar track, Jungle, which has been a mainstay on my playlists since it's initial release as a single in 2018. The themes of suburban teenage restlessness and longing are expressed really well here, in my opinion. Speaking of longing, Better On Your Own makes for a meaningful post-breakup "damn I miss my ex" kind of song (as a side note, I am still obsessed with "Oh, how'd I do compared to your Hitachi Wand?" to this day). Ladies and Gentlemen is a song that spoke to me particularly, especially with its discussion of gender roles, the expectations that come along with them, and the confusion that arises when you don't quite fit perfectly into the label that you're assigned. Gender is a topic that has come up before in Hotel Mira's discography (see their songs Brandon and Bully For You), but I found that the nuance is much more present here than previously seen. As a member of the LGBT community, these topics are especially close to my heart, and I definitely feel seen in this album. Overall, I'd give this album a 5/5; its really something I can sit down and listen to no matter how I'm feeling! The feelings of loneliness, mental health, and wanting to be seen are especially meaningful to me, and the catchiness of the songs are the metaphorical cherry on top. I've linked the album on Spotify below, so give it a listen if you're interested!