Jul 14, 20203 min read

Do Yourself A Favor: Go Stream ‘Denial’

The Hails' surprise music drop might be the only thing to get me through this odd summer.

(The Hails / photographed by Liam Sheehan )

The Hails have done it again. The boys delivered in a surprise song drop of Denial on Tuesday. And I’m here to tell you that this song not only slaps but is also pretty damn relatable.

It's been two months since the band released a new track. Back in May, the Gainesville-made group dropped their groovy as hell single, Situations, which now holds a top spot in my isolation playlist. This song gives the most easy-rider high; it established the band’s talent for irresistible ‘70s-inspired baselines and vocals that glide on the surface.

But needless to say, the people wanted more.

In Denial, a steady drumbeat, accompanied by invigorating synth, builds on itself until you’re introduced to this unhinged, euphoric finale.

If you close your eyes, visions of packed venues and vibrant lights will appear, but you didn’t hear it from me. If you don’t miss live music enough already, this energetic single will have you counting down the days.

“Sink into the deep end, waste another weekend. The changing of the seasons, never help me get out of the motions.”

This single’s going to live in my mind rent-free and I’m not complaining.

(The Hails / photographed by Liam Sheehan )

The last couple of months have felt like an unending funk where spring transitioned into summer without warning. Although Denial maintains a relatively upbeat vibe, the lyrics hit home. Who says you can’t dance while confronting harsh realities?

The inspiration for the absolute banger was born during a period of uncertainty. Guitarist Dylan McCue, the lyricist for this specific tune, said he had just graduated and was feeling the way we all do upon entering a new, unprecedented chapter. McCue reveals that a little “angst” and frustration fueled the emotions behind the new single.

“It was also my first real attempt at fleshing out a composition on my laptop using the limited production knowledge I had, which was really fun and liberating,” he said.

Vocalist and fellow guitarist Franco Solari had his own fun with the song, as well.

“When I first came up with the idea for the ending, I hid it on my computer for months until we got together in the studio,” he said. “Thankfully, we were all open to exploring this new direction and let the song take us to places we hadn’t been before."

(Imagine if they had hidden that epic ending from us? Fear not, our ears have been blessed.)

From there, the band finished up the song remotely, from inside their individual quarantined creative spaces. They’ve been writing sick melodies from afar ever since.

Although the band started this long-distance relationship after they graduated, this production style is actually pretty fitting for the times we’re living in. In an age where face-to-face collaboration has limitations, The Hails have accepted the challenge in stride, showing off their production-savvy side with this new drop.

So, who are The Hails? Simply put, they’re a group of guys who met at the University of Florida who make dope music. Robbie Kingsley (vocals), Franco Solari (guitar + vocals), Dylan McCue (guitar), Andre Escobar (bass), and Zach Levy (drums), alongside producer Matthew Lewin, have curated and crafted an individual sound that draws inspiration from a multitude of artists. We’re talking anywhere from The Beatles to Frank Ocean, making their blend appealing to a variety of listeners.

You can follow the evolution of their sound throughout their discography, undergoing experimental change since their first release in 2018. I love the direction they’re headed, and Denial makes me so pumped for future projects.

If you hadn’t met them before, now you have. If you’re looking to become further acquainted, there’s no better place to start than with this fresh single.

Stream Denial for a good time, out on all platforms now.

Madeline Murphy is an Online Writer at Rowdy Magazine. She’s currently studying Journalism with a minor in Women’s Studies. Madeline can be found making Apple Music playlists, trying Nigella Lawson recipes and binging SATC. She’s fiercely passionate about social justice and the power of words.