Review: Pop-punk band Hungover’s singles ‘Shake It Off’ and “Reunion’

By Jess Joy, Rock At Night Toronto

Review: Hungover’s singles: “Shake it Off” and “Reunion”

Hey, Disneyland isn’t the only fun thing in Orlando, Florida. Orland pop-punk band Hungover’s been dropping some slick new singles off their soon to be released album, When It Touches the Heart, Everything Resolves (out Feb 23 on Smartpunk Records).

“Clicked the link hoping this was a Taylor Swift cover. Stayed cause this is the better shake it off.” (@davecarroll4068) commented on YouTube, risking the wrath of Swifities on Hungover’s coincidentally titled track “Shake it Off’. If you were a teenager in that heady era of the 2006-2015 range when both rock like My Chemical Romance, and Fall Out Boy dominated the charts alongside Katy Perry and TayTay, Hungover’s music may be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

Is it too pop for rock? Too rock for pop? It’s not easy to strike a balance for both fans, but Hungover seems to have found a way. Videos for “Reunion” and “Shake it Off” give you a glimpse of the band performing in casual settings such as a hazy home, or on an industrial staircase. For the viewer, this places the band in familiar working-class spots common to rock’n’roll, but you could also think of it alongside pop artist Adele’s artsy “Hello” video. While the guitars, drums, and the garage rock like production on these singles lean into the emo rock space, it’s the chorus’ and catchy riffing that feel reminiscent of pop’s ability to lodge in your brain. The vocals have just enough edge to feel rocky but also have that tuned layered quality more common to pop. I’d say these tracks fit quite nicely into the pop-rock genre, and fans of mid-2000’s pop-rock will certainly find a lot to like.

But unlike most of those mid-2000’s mainstream rock bands, Hungover sports some diversity, and vocalist Marc Cortes, who is African-American, Dominican, and Puerto Rican, says he’s happy to talk about mental health and diversity (or the lack thereof) in rock music. Hopefully these conversations lead to more visibility for diverse bands in the rock world.

Anyway, if you’re into catchy pop-rock bangers, this is the stuff for you. Keep an ear out for what’s sure to be a great album.

*Rock At Night last saw Hungover live in 2018! It’s good to see they are still alive & kicking!