The Hot One Two – Preaching Virtues the Rock and Roll Way

Album – Virtues

Release Date 10th October

Review by Linda McDermott

Hailing from Cambridge, The Hot One Two are a four-piece band built on great tunes and a stage presence that hits hard from the very start.

After releasing two EPs, the band hit their stride with their debut album Superbia in November 2023. The release explored the seven deadly sins, earning them high praise, with “The Fray” named Planet Rock’s Track of the Week. They toured the album hard, and a UK run with Welsh rockers Scarlet Rebels followed, helping the band cement their place even further.

Fast forward to 2025, and things have gone from strength to strength. The Hot One Two have lit up festival stages across the UK, pulling in new fans with their high-energy shows, while also working behind the scenes on their upcoming album. With themes that cut deep and a sound that takes their music up another notch, Virtues feels like a clear progression. The band have already set the tone with the release of two singles from it, in the shape of ‘The Reaper’ and ‘Alive Again,’ giving the album the kind of start that makes you want to dive straight in to hear the rest.

The band are:

Simon West – Vocals

Nick Manners – Lead Guitar & Backing Vocals

Nick Blackburn – Bass & Backing Vocals

Joe Chivers – Drums

The guys say, this album is a high-octane ride, capturing the raw, energetic spirit and fun of their live shows whilst also offering a more thoughtful look at the world around us. Virtues promises to be a strong step forward for The Hot One Two, delivering the same energy and songwriting that won fans over with Superbia, while showing just how much they’ve grown. Where their debut explored the darker side of human nature, Virtues shines a light on redemption and the pull towards something better. It’s an album that pushes boundaries, rips up expectations, and hits with the kind of authentic rock ’n’ roll you’ve been waiting for.

Virtues

The Reaper

Alive Again

Blow Your Mind

Let The Good Times Roll

Saint Restraint

Grindstone

The Edge

Distance Love Affair

For You

Kicking off with the volume turned up to eleven, the album launches straight into the two singles, The Reaper and Alive Again, they demand air guitars and plenty of movement. I love these tracks; they carry that style and swagger The Hot One Two have mastered and are fast gaining a reputation for. They bring that punch that, when played live, pulls you right to the front of the stage to soak in the energy pouring out of them.

What a way to open their second album, you’re instantly hooked and itching to hear more.

Blow Your Mind bursts in with heavy guitars taking centre stage. On first listen I thought this has hit single written all over it, with an irresistible hook that grabs the crowd straight away.

Let The Good Times Roll does exactly what its title promises. Catchy and upbeat, it keeps the momentum flying, adding to the album’s whirlwind start of drive, muscle, and presence.

Saint Restraint eases you in at the start, giving you a moment to catch your breath, but soon builds with real fire in its belly. The rhythm carries the song, and when the chorus bursts with everyone joining in, it’s pure ear worm material for fans. With driving beats, it’s instantly memorable and the sort of track that will have listeners singing along long after the album ends.

Grindstone hits hard with fierce riffs and a pounding baseline. Another anthem for the collection, it shows the band’s knack for writing big, chest-thumping songs. Then along comes The Edge, keeping the anthem streak alive, a stomping, fist-in-the-air rock tune with a massive singalong factor.

Just when you think you’ve got the measure of things, the guys throw a curveball with Distance Love Affair. It’s a beautiful ballad, something they’re not usually known for, but it’s utterly captivating. I’ve had it on repeat and really hope it makes its way into their live set, because it’s one of those unforgettable “wow” moments that their fans are going to love.

They don’t stop there. Closing track For You takes you right back to dance mode, hitting you full in the face and asking at the end “did you enjoy the show?”

Bloody right I did!

The Hot One Two are, in my eyes, a band that deserve to rise, and Virtues cements that. These new songs are every bit as vibrant and anthemic as the ones on their first album, built for crowds to sing, shout, and throw themselves into. The choruses are made for fans to join in, turning gigs into one big celebration of rock ’n’ roll. Their sheer drive is undeniable, and you can see how much they love what they do every time they step on stage. They absolutely deserve to be headlining festivals, and with this second album, they’ve proved they’re here for the long haul and not messing about.

So, forget the so-called “difficult second album” curse, Virtues stands tall beside Superbia. With songs this strong, I honestly don’t know how they’ll choose which to release as singles, because in truth, every track feels like it’s worthy of that spotlight.

The Hot One Two head out on tour in support of the album starting on October 17th at The Patriot in Crumlin. There’s plenty of dates to choose from and I can honestly guarantee you’ll have the best time.

Tickets available from https://www.thehotonetwo.com/event

Tour Dates with more to be added for 2026

17th Oct – The Patriot, Crumlin

23rd Oct – Eleven, Stoke

24th Oct – The Tivoli, Buckley

25th Oct – Rockin’ by the River, Cornwall

13th Nov – Trillians, Newcastle

14th Nov – Bannermans, Edinburgh

15th Nov – Audio, Glasgow

21st Nov – The Carlisle, Hastings

22nd Nov – Nightrain, Bradford

6th Dec – The Portland Arms