Indie-pop/alt-rock outfit HOAX releases “goldeneyes,” a track lifted from their forthcoming debut concept album, b?
The musical creation of Michael Raj and Frantz Cesar, HOAX describes their sound as “empathy pop,” a blend of ‘60s pop, ‘70s Motown, and alternative R&B.
Talking about the song, Michael Raj explains, “While the vibe of ‘goldeneyes’ emits ‘feel-good’ vibes, the point is not to preach a million-dollar pyramid scheme of happiness through realization, but rather hope that through listening to this song, it will maybe unlock some euphoric moment of freedom where you just truly are happy, or at the least, identify what it is that truly allows you to be. And if that doesn’t work, there are always drugs.”
HOAX’s upcoming album, b?, chronicles the tale of characters connected in the aftermath of tragedy, probing the heart of “BEING” versus the contrasting idea of “DOING.” Inspired by a fictional drug called ‘goldeneyes,’ which brings on selective hallucinogenic visions, the song explores the constantly varying circumstances of life and the relentless human pursuit of the chimera of happiness – a better job, a bigger house, the next exciting event. In the end, most people wind up wondering why they were never happy.
Written in two parts, identification and realization, “goldeneyes” observes that true happiness is not found in the physical, but in love, trust, and empathy.
“goldeneyes” opens on gleaming colors flowing into an alluring rhythm composed of crisp percussion and a fat bassline as luminous waves of polychromatic textures glide overhead. Velvety vocals imbue the lyrics with creamy timbres, rife with dreamy surfaces.
A shimmering breakdown shifts the tempo, moussing up to an infectious pop melody flavored with dazzling washes of R&B topped by delicious leitmotifs and sumptuous, heady vocals.
HOAX has it going on. “goldeneyes” offers rich, silky-smooth layers of sound, creating a tantalizing, retro-laced, dream-like melody.
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