HOAX — the Houston, TX, duo of Michael Raj and Frantz Cesar — have launched their debut album. The band's full-length b? can be heard in its entirety below.
Further mapping the musical and lyrical territory of their self-described "empathy pop," HOAX wrote and recorded the 17-song, conceptual b? from the view of individual characters exploring the dichotomy of being versus doing.
Through their blend of the best of aughts alternative and contemporary indie pop, HOAX ask, "If all you are is what you do, how can you ever be?" and that transition is embodied by the title track found at the album's climactic midpoint.
"Behind all the facades we put up, under all the masks we wear — there we are: Ourselves in Being form," Raj explains in a statement. "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.'"
Raj understands that "peace looks different in everyone's mirror." He continues: "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."
Hear b? in full below and via your platform of choice, ahead of following HOAX on Instagram.
Further mapping the musical and lyrical territory of their self-described "empathy pop," HOAX wrote and recorded the 17-song, conceptual b? from the view of individual characters exploring the dichotomy of being versus doing.
Through their blend of the best of aughts alternative and contemporary indie pop, HOAX ask, "If all you are is what you do, how can you ever be?" and that transition is embodied by the title track found at the album's climactic midpoint.
"Behind all the facades we put up, under all the masks we wear — there we are: Ourselves in Being form," Raj explains in a statement. "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.'"
Raj understands that "peace looks different in everyone's mirror." He continues: "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."
Hear b? in full below and via your platform of choice, ahead of following HOAX on Instagram.