‘The lost album by seminal Russian shoegazers Hot Zex…’

Limited to 100 Copies worldwide

Before the production of their third record, which would end up being their last, Hot Zex took on one last project as a four-piece band. During these sessions, the band experimented greatly with sonic structures, songwriting, and how they interpreted their own sound both in studio and during live shows. This transitional period netted the band some sterling tracks for their catalogue, but many jewels from these sessions have not seen the light of day until now.

“Pop Song” is a radio-perfect single turned up to 11, the dual acoustic/electric arrangement bringing all of Hot Zex’s immediate strengths to bear. It is the very definition of a positive ear-worm. Live staples “Stay Wild", “Scream Baby Scream”, and “Before I Will” finally get the studio treatment, testifying to the band’s ability transmute The Ramones’ or Dead Kennedys’ punk immediacy to a new generation’s ears. Komarov’s usual songwriting job is handed over to guitarist Mikhail Grinin for “Sonic Spy,” a phenomenal and unexpected paean to one’s own unique perspective in a sea of lookalikes and imitators. “Insomnia” is another moving piece, with a cascading instrumental that builds like a river turning into a waterfall by the track’s end. Rounding out the tape are “Applesaves,” an unearthed instrumental from the sessions, and a bonus track in the form of a live cut of “Insomnia.”

This cassette marks the beginning of the 30th anniversary celebration of a pioneering band in Russia’s indie scene. Newly remastered, the couple tracks from these sessions that have escaped onto the Internet are now joined by all the tracks that would have gone into the making of Hot Zex’s never-released, would-be third album- remastered for the first time, specially sequenced by band leader Vladimir Komarov, with newly commissioned artwork and slipcover. This special bi-color cassette is printed using a custom cassette tape master (differing from the separate CD/digital master in many aspects) on FOX Recording the Masters tape, a new Super Ferric analogue tape formula for reduced hiss, optimum frequency, and added longevity.