Palaye Royale – Dying In A Hot Tub

Palaye Royale released their second studio album, Boom Boom Room Side B, on September 28, 2018, boasting plenty of fan favorites. The album fought to the top of the charts during its first week, debuting at number 17 on the Top Albums chart and number three on Top Alternative.

Track four, “Dying In A Hot Tub,” speaks about the struggle and reality of addiction, something that one of their best friends had been experiencing. Above a single simple guitar, vocalist Remington Leith opens with “You’re looking skinny you sleepy head / Well have you gotten out of bed? Have you gotten out of bed? / I’m getting concerned about my lonely friend.” The vocals and instrumental slowly build to the chorus, which explodes as Leith sings, “I fly to the moon again. / I’m sleeping with clothes upon my head,” and “I’m dying in a hot tub with my friends.” The mix of direct lyricism with sprinkled metaphors–alongside the intentional yet catchy instrumental– perfectly dictates the reality of addiction and worry for those who are struggling.

Amid the band’s time supporting Enter Shikari on the road, cryptic teasers including the song's imagery began to flood their social media. Soon after, they gifted fans with the official music video for “Dying In A Hot Tub.” Directed by Sam Shapiro, it is an artistic representation of the song. While floating on top of the water, one of the members jumps in, leading the others to follow. Trying to save their friend, they begin to lose hope, until Leith grabs a beam of light and the three pass out. Then, while floating on top again, a hand reaches to save them.

Upon the music video's release, Palaye Royale revealed, “James and Pierre are dogs,” In reference to the line, “Oh you left your brain upstairs next to James and Pierre.” They continued, “The guy wearing a astronaut helmet is our best friend that we wrote the song about,” and “There is something in the video that explains something for the future.”

Leith jokes about how a song themed around a hot tub was filmed in freezing cold water.