The Billings, Montana-based Hey, Ily has carved out a unique space for themselves. Their blend of emo, screamo, power pop, and experimental tones reflects a chaotic synergy born out of the digital age. With their upcoming album Hey, I Loathe You! slated for release on October 25, 2024, the band continues their genre-bending journey, delivering a punch that’s equal parts raw emotion and dizzying fun.
The album’s lead single, “(Dis)Connected,” and the newest song “Wind-Up Toy” serve as a fitting anthem for the hyper-connected yet emotionally alienated digital world many of us inhabit.
With frenetic keyboard lines cutting through the mix and guitars occasionally breaking through the clutter with a discordant heaviness, the song’s energy mirrors the constant barrage of stimuli we face every day.
“Wind-Up Toy” lands somewhere between the chaotic electronics of Horse The Band, the early freneticism of Enter Shikari, and the occasional softness of indie pop—an intriguing mix that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking.
Formed out of a high school friendship, Hey, Ily is the result of a shared love for genre fluidity, a product of their digital upbringing.
Having started as a solo project on Twitter, what initially began as a personal outlet for frontman Caleb has blossomed into a full band effort.
Drawing influences from emo and screamo stalwarts like Your Arms Are My Cocoon, lobsterfight, and Weatherday, their sound refuses to settle into a single niche. Instead, it thrives on unpredictability, a trait best showcased by their debut album Psychokinetic Love Songs and now extended with Hey, I Loathe You!.
Themes of mental health, body image, and digital disillusionment are all woven through the album, with a mix of playful absurdity and genuine angst.
In a time where much of the world is retreating into curated digital personas, Hey, Ily brings an unfiltered emotional honesty that feels like a breath of fresh air—albeit one laced with biting wit and tongue-in-cheek humor.
