Hockitay - half smile (Future Gods) [Alt-Pop]

Hockitay shouldn't need any introduction to TSMM regulars, but if you're new to the site, then check out the previous reviews, or TSMM's interview with him.

Hockitay's music has never been about having the time of your life and pretending everything is wonderful, and the singular dirgecore that accompanies his wry observations reflects that, which suits me just fine.

Well, it appears that someone changed the lightbulb in the studio or popped some fresh flowers in the mixing console vase, because there's a surprising indie-rock jangle to his latest single, "half smile". OK, everything's relative, and I can't see him advertising energy drinks just yet, not to mention his lyrical content is as sardonic and smart as ever, but a bit of variety never hurts, and it will certainly add a nice dimension to his live shows.

A bit of gently propulsive strumming and Hockitay reminiscing about the start of a relationship kicks things off, before the drums and a female backing voice join in for the chorus, which lets us know, with his usual brutal honesty, that there won't be any wedding bells. As he says, "I'm not sure what I want, except not wanting at all". It's a simple tale well told, and a common complaint is today's first world of plenty, where we are faced with the tyranny of choice and unreasonable expectations.

It's another wry, well crafted take on modern living, and Hockitay now has a live show finale or encore. You never know, one day he might even get past 80BPM.

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Playlist Companion

Find Hockitay in the Slow Alt-Pop Playlist.