Rock Trio Haybaby’s Newest Single is Not Just a ‘Total Bore’

After a three-year hiatus filled with calamity and catastrophe, Brooklyn-based rock trio, Haybaby, are back with the announcement of their second full-length album, They Get There, set to release through record label Tiny Engines this June.

With the announcement of their sophomore record also comes their first single, “Total Bore.” Contrary to the track’s name, “Total Bore” picks up right from the get-go, carrying a bright, jangly gait through the slop rock wavelengths. Lead vocalist and guitarist Leslie Hong takes her time weaving a biting commentary on her former-partner’s “shallow to the core” behavior, slowly swelling to a crescendo of drums, synth, and electric guitar all coexisting in a controlled chaos.

Right on the heels of their debut album, Sleepy Kids, in 2016, tragedy struck when Hong’s father was diagnosed with cancer, causing her to uproot her life and move to Virginia. While Hong was dealing with the heartbreak of losing her father, the band’s tour van was set on fire in a random act of arson. All of these narratives fueled their upcoming album to reach its fullest potential. Telling a story of loss, resentment, and hopelessness, this record is proof that these hard-to-bear moments can ultimately end in a resilient shout of perseverance.

They Get There is full of Hong’s experiences with tragedy, but in its entirety the album is very much a collaborative effort between all members of the band. Guitarist Sam Yield and drummer Jeremy Duvall also suffered through their own moments of heartbreak during the hiatus. With this comradery between the three, the record has flourished into an emotional confessional with the simplest of messages: “If Haybaby can get there, so can you.”

Can’t wait until June? If the anticipation for They Get There proves to be too much, catch Haybaby at any of their upcoming tour dates later this month.