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Hotel Mira Throws a “Pity Party” You’ll Actually Want to Attend

  • Writer: Alyssa Crocker
    Alyssa Crocker
  • Mar 14
  • 5 min read

The confetti is flying, the lights are dim, and the existential dread is served with a side of distortion—Hotel Mira is back, and they’ve thrown one hell of a “Pity Party.”


Led by the ever-charismatic and enigmatic Charlie Kerr, alongside bandmates Mike Noble, Clark Grieve, and Cole George, the Vancouver-based indie-rock outfit returns with their fifth album, Pity Party.


If you’ve been craving a record that blends razor-sharp lyricism, feverish guitar work, and melodies that stick to your brain like a neon Post-it note, you’ve come to the right place.


From anthemic hooks to gut-punching honesty, Pity Party is an intoxicating mix of self-deprecation, chaotic love, and existential crises—wrapped in some of Hotel Mira’s most ambitious songwriting yet. So, grab your party hat (or your emotional support hoodie), and let’s dive into this track-by-track breakdown of an amazing album


Track-by-Track Breakdown


1. America’s Favourite Pastime


From the second Pity Party starts, you’re not just listening—you’re being catapulted into a frenzy. “America’s Favourite Pastime” kicks things off with a jittery energy that feels like stepping into a neon-lit bar where anything can (and probably will) happen.


Kerr’s signature theatrical delivery is on full display here, weaving through rapid-fire lyrics about love, desire, and a not-so-subtle commentary on fame and vanity. “She wants to fall in love with everyone / She’s gonna fall in love with anyone” is a line that encapsulates the song’s manic energy—love as a reckless, directionless thrill ride.


The instrumentation is sharp, the percussion relentless, and the chorus? Absolutely addictive. A perfect opening track that sets the chaotic yet poetic tone for the rest of the album.


2. Right Back Where I Was


Ever feel like you’re running in circles? That’s the exact kind of dizzying emotional tug-of-war “Right Back Where I Was” delivers. This track blends infectious indie rock with lyrics that feel like a late-night confession.


Kerr’s vocals sway between vulnerability and frustration as he sings, “I tried to keep my distance / I never learned to listen.” There’s something so raw about how he delivers this line, like he’s caught in the act of self-sabotage and completely aware of it. The punchy guitar work and frantic drumbeats only amplify the urgency.


It’s A song for those who can’t seem to break old habits, “Right Back Where I Was” is a fever dream of nostalgia, regret, and recklessness


3. Made for This


Arguably one of Pity Party’s most introspective tracks, “Made for This” is an anthem for every dreamer who’s ever questioned their own path.


The lyrics, “Honey, please be patient. I’m not made for this.” hit like a gut punch, unraveling themes of doubt and exhaustion in a way that’s both heartbreaking and deeply relatable. The song rides a wave of controlled chaos, with its explosive choruses and stripped-down verses creating a perfect push-and-pull tension.


Musically, it’s one of Hotel Mira’s strongest compositions, weaving through moments of gentle vulnerability before exploding into anthemic catharsis. If you’ve ever felt like an imposter in your own story, this track will hit home.


4. Cowboy


Cupid has gone rogue, and he’s packing heat.


“Cowboy” takes the concept of love and war and cranks it up to a cinematic level, blending sharp, satirical lyricism with a blistering indie-rock backdrop. “Cupid, grab a shotgun / Load up, take aim, drop one.”—that’s not just a line, it’s a whole damn mood.


This song feels like a Western standoff between passion and destruction, where romance is a battlefield, and no one gets out unscathed. With its driving beat, explosive energy, and cheeky storytelling, “Cowboy” is a wild ride you won’t want to get off.


5. Melissa


A Pity Party isn’t complete without a bit of reckless abandon, and “Melissa” brings that energy in full force.


Opening with the taunting line, “Go home, Melissa! You’re such a bad kisser”, the song is a whirlwind of sarcasm, self-deprecation, and glitter-drenched chaos. The gang vocals chanting “Come and get your man!” make it impossible not to shout along, while the pulsing instrumentation gives it an almost theatrical energy.


It’s messy, it’s fun, it’s slightly unhinged—exactly what a Hotel Mira track should be and we are here for it !!!



6. Making Progress (Personal Favorite!)


This is where Pity Party delivers its biggest rock and grove indie performance ever


A song that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable, “Making Progress” explores the messy, nonlinear journey of self-improvement. The standout line—“Forget your heart, protect your neck”—is one of those lyrics that will linger in your brain long after the song ends


It’s Hotel Mira at their most raw and poetic, pairing existential dread with a beat so infectious that it tricks you into dancing through the pain.


7. Runner (Another Favorite!)


“Runner” might be the most narrative-driven track on the album.


The song follows a story of love, conflict, and self-discovery. Kerr’s storytelling shines here, painting a picture of a relationship filled with confusion and fleeting moments of clarity.


The line “Annie’s in the bathroom / She wanted me to ask you / If you still hold a grudge / If she still makes you blush” feels like an intimate peek into a conversation that’s never fully resolved.


Like This track feels like youthful rebellion bottled up in a song. And just when you think you’ve got the song figured out, Kerr throws in a biting line about “ I heard she f*cked the drummer


Absolute gold.!!


8: Javelin


This track takes on an introspective tone, with Kerr reflecting on personal struggles and the weight of expectations. The song’s title—“Javelin”—serves as a metaphor for the sharp and fast-paced nature of life’s challenges. The track’s instrumental build-up mirrors the tension in the lyrics, creating a palpable sense of urgency. By the time the chorus hits, you’re left with a feeling of exhilaration and exhaustion all at once. “Javelin” is a moment of reckoning on the album, but it’s delivered with the same fiery energy that defines Hotel Mira’s sound.


9: Stone’s Throw


A haunting ballad, “Stone’s Throw” is about the distance between two people who are too proud to reach out. The stripped-back instrumentation lets Kerr’s voice take center stage, delivering the melancholy lyrics with aching sincerity. It’s a song about separation, both physical and emotional, but there’s an underlying hope that things could still change. It’s vulnerable, raw, and heartbreaking—everything you’d want in a ballad.


10: Back to the Bedroom


“Back to the Bedroom” is a perfect blend of catchy pop-rock hooks and more introspective lyrics. The song is about seeking solace in intimacy while simultaneously feeling disconnected. It’s an exploration of the complexities of love and desire. The upbeat tempo contrasts with the deeper emotional themes in the lyrics, creating a juxtaposition that makes this song both fun and thought-provoking.


11: On and On


The penultimate track on the album, “On and On” is about the cyclical nature of life and relationships. The driving rhythm and infectious chorus give the song a feeling of inevitability, as if it’s all just going to keep going—no matter how much you want it to stop. It’s about the exhaustion that comes with constantly moving forward, even when you don’t feel like you can. The track’s anthemic chorus makes it feel like a collective moment, one you can’t help but sing along to.


12: There Goes the Neighborhood (The Closing Track)


The album closes with “There Goes the Neighborhood,” a fittingly beautiful end to the Pity Party. The song captures the sense of disarray and chaos that permeates the album, both musically and lyrically. It’s a song about disruption, change, and upheaval, reflecting the turmoil of a life that’s constantly in motion. As the closing track, it ties everything together, leaving the listener with a sense of resolution—albeit a messy one.



Closing thoughts:


I gotta say Hotel Mira’s Pity Party is a triumph. It’s an album that’s raw, messy, and full of contradictions. But that’s what makes it so captivating. From the explosive opening to the reflective closing track, it’s an emotional journey that will leave you feeling like you’ve been through a wild ride.


So, if you’re ready to jump into the pit, grab a drink get your best friend, crush , lover , or anyone , and let the Pity Party begin.






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