Noise Hotel's 'Cigarettes In Summertime' is a song of love, rock, and summer bliss

If you find yourself wandering through Ontario’s indie-rock scene, Noise Hotel’s Eric Montpool, Christian Strong, Matt Scharfe, and Brendan Vandepol are names you probably know by now. You’ve heard their songs on your favourite music app or saw their live concerts at festivals from Guitars and Gasoline to Wintersong. Their latest single “Cigarettes In Summertime,” which came out on July 23, shows they’re off to greater heights.

In the past, the band’s influences included Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes, and if you’re familiar with these groups, odds are you’ll find something to like from this indie mainstay. However, Noise Hotel doesn’t stop there, as they’ve taken even more inspiration for their single from Grammy-winning rockers Cage The Elephant.

What feels like a simple love song turns into an indie-rock novella about a modern-day Romeo and Juliet story. But rather than ending in tragedy, it begins with both partners ready to grow a mature relationship led by hope and joy for the future. 

The single offers an uplifting vibe compared to other love songs that typically tell stories of heartbreak, regrets, and unresolved feelings. Noise Hotel is no stranger to broken bonds, as is the case with their last work “Sweet Talk.” They nonetheless use their new song to embrace that love still plays a touching role in our lives, especially during the summer. 

The song itself is an eccentric head-banger, thanks to love-drenched vocals and buzzy electric guitar strums, including the best guitar hook the band has ever done. With a solid bassline, flourishing cymbals, and a soft drum backdrop, the lyrics convey a passion for love to be heard. 

There’s also a punk undertone from the song’s rough guitar chords bookending the song that provide punchy flavours for the band’s indie rock. It contrasts incredibly well with the more melodic and breezy psychedelic guitar solo paired with an even calmer bass and drum beat, before returning to the rock chorus.

These genre-fused set pieces speak to love as an exhilarating feeling that, ironically, is also anxious to pursue the galore of summer romance.

Strangely enough, the song, even if it’s about love, feels like it would be fitting for a Halloween concert with its eccentric guitar tones and suave lyrics. The single could also work for a horror-comedy where the heroes walk away in slow motion after defeating a dark force. Noise Hotel’s songs are multi-faceted, so it would be fun to see this tune played for different purposes.

If indie rock isn’t your jam, and I don’t know why it wouldn’t be, then you obviously won’t find any appeal with this band or their songs. But, if you’re open to branching out, you might find yourself having a good time with Noise Hotel’s signature motifs. 

As the third single I’ve covered from this band, “Cigarettes In Summertime” is the best song from their recent work so far. It continues to be a privilege to listen to this velvet-strewn quartet tap into new sounds for the sake of their artistry and their audience.

Noise Hotel is clearly all here for summer, but are you ready for them? Check out their newest single and find out.