“Faces” is the first public release from Bodega Dog, a solo indie/emo-leaning project from Hudson Valley, New York, led by Nico Caro.
The song opens quickly, without a long runway, pulling the listener into a soft but forward-moving structure that leans on momentum rather than atmosphere alone.
The production could be deeper and more developed, but the core idea comes through clearly: a blend of alternative emo, understated rock dynamics, and a sense of movement that pushes ahead even while the song carries a lingering nostalgia. It’s immediately listenable, especially for people who still carry a soft spot for early-2000s emo and its more restrained offshoots.
At its center, “Faces” circles one recurring feeling. As Caro explains, the song came from “this feeling of being stuck in a cycle,” watching life and people around him move forward while he stays in the same place. The track reflects anxiety about time slipping away, about being left behind, and about the quiet pressure to change before something hardens permanently.
There’s a steady sense of unease about the future and the awareness that something has to give. He adds that it’s a feeling many people recognize, “especially artists that are trying to make a living with their work.”
Bodega Dog itself grew out of contrast. Caro has spent years playing in bands, mostly rooted in rock and punk, including his current band New Vision.
This project came from wanting to explore the other side of his writing instincts — something closer to indie, acoustic, and singer-songwriter structures.
He points directly to influences like Alex G, Hovvdy, Slow Pulp, and Death Cab, but the more important shift was internal. He wanted to see if he could carry everything himself: writing, instrumentation, and production, “front to back.” The project has been in motion for over a year, shaped as much by trial and error as by intention.
“Faces” relies on pacing and emotional clarity. The song moves with a quiet urgency, not waiting around for a hook to announce itself, but letting the dynamic progression guide the listener. Even with its softer tone, it leans forward, suggesting something more exploratory ahead rather than settling into comfort.
Caro places this work within a broader local context. He describes the Hudson Valley scene as particularly active right now, full of both familiar and newly emerging artists. In his view, the area has always moved in cycles, and at the moment it’s clearly on an upswing — a place where self-expression is finding more space and attention.
As for the bigger picture, Caro keeps it grounded. He’s been developing Bodega Dog slowly, focusing on improving his production skills and becoming a better musician overall. “Faces” marks the first in a line of planned releases.
