Track listing: Morse Code, Ready, The Stroke of Midnight

Wow! Morse Code is the new 3-song EP from Sacramento-based melodic rock quartet Blacklight Hotel. Moments into my first listen, I'm transfixed. Yeah it's got some math-rock in it. Maybe a little Fates Warning influence? But when singer Jennifer Valdez's voice enters the title track, the instrumental dynamics bottom out to feature her voice which, in that moment, comes across as if Tori Amos joined a metal band. She soars throughout all 3 tracks but her more delicate moments are perhaps more impressive.

So the band's got a Tori-meets-Amy Lee vocalist. Not a bad ace to hold in your band's back pocket! The entire ensemble brings it, though. Their style is technical but not at the expense of infusing their songs with emotion. There's a Girl In A Coma punk rawness to Blacklight Hotel but also a Berklee-school chordal intelligence. This is extremely melodic rock that taps into multiple styles and genres to forge their own sound.

Bassist Daniel Risley, drummer Kris Ayala and guitarist Eric Davis lay a solid musical foundation for a style that I'm at a loss for words to describe. They're heavy but they're delicate. There's attitude and beauty with a no lack of ass-kicking hard rock. It's not simple enough to be pop but the band puts hooks into each track that you'll be hearing for days.

It's been a long week. It's late. I sit down to finish this review but Blacklight Hotel takes the work out of it. This group brings some inspiring originality to their craft, which is always a delight to hear and feel. What I don't see on their website and socials are show dates. Be sure to follow them to be the first to know when and where they're playing. Blacklight Hotel is a band I'd fucking love to see live. Check 'em out at blacklighthotelband.com.