Tess Parks - Blood Hot

Review by Senén Guzmán Jiménez

Blood Hot by Tess Parks: A Lo-Fi Daydream You Won’t Forget Tess Parks’ Blood Hot isn’t just an album—it’s like a warm, hazy afternoon where time kinda melts away. Released back in 2013 on Optic Nerve Recordings and 359 Music, this indie rock gem feels like it was born out of late-night jam sessions and lazy Sunday mornings. With its mix of lo-fi fuzz, psychedelic swirls, and pop-rock hooks, it’s one of those records that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. And trust me, once it sinks its teeth in, it doesn’t let go. The whole thing has this raw, unpolished charm—like Parks didn’t overthink it too much, which honestly makes it feel more alive. Thomas Paxton-Beesley (who did everything from drums to cello) deserves a shoutout for helping shape the sound, but it’s clear Tess is calling the shots here. She produced the damn thing herself, after all. That DIY spirit? It shines through every track. Now, I gotta talk about “Life Is But A Dream” because, holy crap, how many times does she put this song on repeat? At first, I thought my Spotify was glitching—but nope, turns out it’s intentional. It’s weirdly hypnotic, like hearing someone hum the same melody over and over until it becomes part of your brain chemistry. The lyrics are simple, almost childlike, but there’s something haunting about them. Like, life really is just a dream sometimes, right? Especially with the way the guitars echo softly in the background, giving off major bedroom-studio vibes. By the third or fourth replay, it stopped feeling redundant and started feeling… meditative. Like a mantra you can’t shake. Then there’s “Gates Of Broadway,” which hits different. This one sticks with me not because of any big flashy moment, but because of how understated it is. Anthony Nemet’s lead guitar work adds this subtle twang that cuts through the haze, while Tess’ vocals float above like smoke rings. There’s a line in there—something about walking behind houses—that sounds so mundane, yet it feels huge somehow. Maybe it’s the delivery, or maybe it’s because we’ve all been stuck staring at someone’s backyard, lost in our own heads. Either way, it’s relatable as hell. What gets me most about Blood Hot is how messy it is—in the best possible way. Tracks overlap, songs bleed into each other, and nothing feels overly polished. Some people might call it sloppy, but I think that’s what makes it special. It’s real. Imperfect. Human. And hey, fun fact: if you listen closely during “Refugee Camp,” you’ll hear what sounds suspiciously like a tambourine shaking in the distance. Or maybe it’s just my imagination. Who knows? That’s the magic of this record—it keeps you guessing. So yeah, Blood Hot isn’t gonna win any Grammys, and it probably won’t blow up TikTok anytime soon. But who cares? Sometimes music doesn’t need to be perfect or trendy to leave a mark. Sometimes, it just needs to remind you that even dreams have rough edges. Oh, and P.S.—if you ever meet Tess Parks, ask her why “Life Is But A Dream” loops so much. I’d kill to know the answer.

Artist: Tess Parks
Album: Blood Hot

2019

Rating: 5.0

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Download

Filename: tess-parks-blood-hot.zip

MP3 size: 214.6 mb
FLAC size: 1078.8 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Gates Of Broadway
Life Is But A Dream
Gates of Broadway	4:12
Walk Behind Your House
Life Is but a Dream	3:38
When I Am Young	3:27
Walk Behind Your House
Somedays	2:40
Stick Around
Life Is But A Dream
Open Your Mind
Love Around	4:40
Stick Around	1:50
Stick Around
Refugee Camp	5:23
Love Around
Open Your Mind	2:17
Goodnight Love	3:8
Gates Of Broadway
Refugee Camp
Goodnight Love
Life Is But A Dream
Life is But a Dream	03:38
When I Am Young
Open Your Mind
This Time Next Year
This Time Next Year	4:33
Life Is But a Dream	3:38
Walk Behind Your House	5:7

Video

This Time Next Year - Tess Parks (Blood Hot)

Tess Parks - Somedays (Official Video)

Tess Parks - Blood Hot (Full album)

Images

télécharger l'album Tess Parks - Blood Hot

Album herunterladen Tess Parks - Blood Hot

Catalog Numbers

OPT4.018
359CD6

Labels

Optic Nerve Recordings
359 Music

Listen online

écouter en ligne
online luisteren
ascolta in linea
online anhören
kuunnella verkossa
lytte på nettet
lyssna på nätet
escuchar en línea
ouvir online

Formats

Vinyl
LP
Album
Limited Edition
Repress
White
CD
Stereo
Red / Black Marble
Blue
Reissue
Red & Black Marble
180 gram
Clear & Red Marble
CDr
Promo

Credits

Role	Credit
Co-producer	Thomas Paxton-Beesley
Drums	Thomas Paxton-Beesley
Guitar	Thomas Paxton-Beesley
Bass	Thomas Paxton-Beesley
Tambourine	Thomas Paxton-Beesley
Cello	Thomas Paxton-Beesley
Lead Guitar	Anthony Nemet
Backing Vocals	Anthony Nemet
Mixed By	Josh Korody
Producer	Tess Parks

Notes

300 copies
140g
3rd press, limited to 200 copies on red / black marble vinyl. Printed inner sleeve.
Originally released on CD only in 2013.
Limited to 300 copies
Repressed on Clear & Red vinyl

Barcodes

Barcode (Scanned from barcode sticker): 700461602477
Barcode (Scanned): 5013929640627
Barcode (Text): 5 013929 640627
Matrix / Runout (Etched side A): MPO OTP4.018 A
Matrix / Runout (Etched side B): MPO OTP4.018 B Greg @ Finyl Tweek
Barcode (Scanned (stickered)): 700461602477
Barcode: 7 00461 60247 7
Barcode (Scanned): 5013926640627
Barcode (Text): 5 013926 640627

About Tess Parks

Toronto-born, London-based artist.

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a fun fact: Tess Parks' debut album *Blood Hot* is like a DIY masterpiece. Released in 2013, it blends indie rock, lo-fi, and psychedelic vibes into something raw and dreamy. What’s wild? Thomas Paxton-Beesley played almost every instrument on the album—drums, guitar, bass, even cello! It’s like a one-man band with Tess steering the ship as co-producer and lead visionary. Oh, and if you’re wondering about the tracklist—it’s a bit of a puzzle. Songs like “Life Is But A Dream” and “Walk Behind Your House” show up multiple times, almost like little echoes or alternate versions. It’s messy, trippy, and totally unique. The whole thing feels like flipping through someone’s personal journal, full of heart and strange little quirks.

Comments

lapazproteste

2025-03-05

Mazzy Star meets Nico. So what? Sexy heroin music? Bare soul? I certainly like all that mixed up. You have to add to it. maybe it does for you... anton.

annettemariephotography

2025-03-04

Atomica

graficapubliq

2025-03-04

I use to drink heavily to this song, sometimes I still do. But it always reminds me of that one person I love more than life itself...wondering if they’ll be in my life next year as I’m use to abandonment on some level. Sure enough, the one person who I never thought would leave...moved far away. Now this song serves as a painful reminder that people can promise to stay and they don’t for whatever reason. The only thing that will never leave is a few good drinks and memories. Very nostalgic song with deeply sad feelings yet so beautiful it’s hard not to listen to.

cnovillo

2025-03-04

Fabulous ✨

olithai2

2025-03-04

I love you and your music too, your material with A is amazing .. my brother Jon really liked you too when he met you after one of the Brighton Great Escapes at which you performed . much love! .. oops I nearly forgot .. tessisbrilliant ?

ximenaaponte3

2025-03-04

Video reminds me of a old Andy Warhol “screen test.” He used to do a lot of them.

dreadedlama

2025-03-04

widodomadiun

2025-03-03

love this song , i play it on guitar every once in a while

kimi7woo

2025-03-03

Wow. There's a lot to unpack here. The melody is simple, but there are so many layers. First, in the video you see a light bulb lighting up her face when she's turned to it and then it goes dark when she turns it away. For a majority of the song its kind of half and half...as she stares, almost pleadingly into the camera. It reminds me of Carl Jung's idea of the shadow. The unconscious part of us that we reject and hide away. In his words paraphrased, " you need to bring it to conscious awareness so as not to fall victim to your darker impulses by happenstance"...essentially. The guitar in the song is repetitive, hopeful at times, but mainly just slowly trudging along the same melody for the entire song. Reminds me of depression.