How “HOT STUFF” Came to Life: Inside the Studio with Blue October

Blue October has always known who they are. Sure, the sound evolves from album to album—but at the core, it’s still the same band that plays from the gut and lets instinct lead the way. Their new single, "HOT STUFF," is a great example of that. It’s loud, confident, and catchy as hell—and it all started with a riff.

Recorded in March 2025, "HOT STUFF" came together during one of those rare moments when every member of the band was in the same room, feeding off each other’s ideas and energy.

“The song feels really special to me because it came from us being in a room together,” says bassist Matt Novesky. “Just humans playing our instruments and feeling the energy of playing in a band.”

Bassist Matt Novesky in the tracking room laying down his parts for "HOT STUFF"

Guitarist Steve Schiltz  kicked things off with a riff that pulled from some major ’80s influences—think INXS and Robert Palmer, but with more dirt under the fingernails

“Nearly everything you hear on the recording is us playing in the studio together,” Steve says. “That energy is what gives the song its punch.”

A behind-the-scenes look at Steve Schiltz’ guitars and effects while recording "HOT STUFF"

Matt’s bass-lines brought in a low-end groove that feels both raw and melodic, with a vibe somewhere between  John Entwistle (The Who) and Chris Wolstenholme (Muse). Then Ryan Delahoussaye layered in parts that subtly nod to Blue October’s early years.

“A lot of my parts harken back to songs like Amnesia and Sexual Power Trip,” Ryan says. “It felt natural to bring in some of those textures from the early days.”

The end result is a song that wears a lot of different influences - there are hints of  Prince, Franz Ferdinand, Nine Inch Nails, and even a little ZZ Top swagger - but still sounds unmistakably like Blue October.

Layered on top are echoes of Prince, Franz Ferdinand, Nine Inch Nails, and even a little ZZ Top swagger—all woven into a song that somehow sounds both vintage and refreshingly new.

Drummer Jeremy Furstenfeld and Producer Eric Holtz overseeing the mixing of "HOT STUFF"

Frontman Justin Furstenfeld, usually at the center of the band’s songwriting, took more of a supporting role this time and let the rest of the band drive the vibe.

“I have to give credit to Steve and Matt for the vibe of 'HOT STUFF,'” Justin says. “This is the first time where I really stepped back and collaborated with them from a production standpoint. The band really stepped up and said, ’This is what we’re good at!’”

There’s something about hearing a band lock in like that—when the chemistry is real and everyone’s firing on instinct. "HOT STUFF" isn’t a reinvention. It’s a reminder of what makes Blue October tick.

Listen to "Hot Stuff" here