Indie/alternative band HOAX are back with a new, exciting offering ‘b?’
HOAX is an indie pop-rock band based in Houston, Texas. The mastermind of Michael Raj and Frantz Cesar, their music is a melting pot of sonics, concepts and melodies with a nod to 60’s pop, 70’s Motown, and alternative R&B. They see themselves as “the beautiful sound of sadness” which is apparent in their melancholy melodies.
The E.P is based around the title track ‘b?,’ which is also the centre point of the E.P. The E.P is a wall of noise with synths, guitars and vocals that all merge together softly creating a melting pot of melody, with drums driving energy around the tracks. Shy but emotional vocals narrate the tracks, picking us up and leaving us hooked. Each song is written from the point of view of a character who explores the abstract concepts of the essence of “BEING”.
Talking about the new album, Michael Raj shares:
“Behind all the facades we put up, under all the masks we wear – there we are: Ourselves in Being form. It used to be very hard for me to explain what it meant ‘to be’ to other people. And believe me – I know I am not original in this line of questioning. For God’s sake, we all know what Shakespeare said through Hamlet, but as the album developed, it became clear to me that ‘being’ is synonymous with ‘peace’. And that peace looks different in everyone’s mirror. It starts with self-reflection, and never ends with anything other than life devotion to your truest form. I’ve said it so many times throughout our career, but if there is anything you take away from listening to HOAX and this album, it's to please prioritize your peace. We are only here for a moment in the blip of infinity, and during that blink, our peace and being will always be under the scrutiny of the randomness and chaos of life. Perfect the art of sitting still, to know yourself, show and embody empathy, and be authentic to your peace.”
A track-by-track commentary from Michael Raj can be viewed here.