Top hose hot , bottom cold...new radiator

So I noticed that my top hose is getting hot but my bottom hose is luke warm. This did not bother me until I noticed a drip from somewhere.
The top hose seems to have a lot more pressure than the bottom as well!

The only thing that is not new is the thermostat. Champion aluminum radiator , all new hoses and ENGINE. Could it be an air bubble ? Or a bad stat ? Or a defective radiator..?

I know thermostats are cheap but I want some ideas before throwing time and money at it....