Marking his long-awaited return, KennyHoopla kicks off 2025 with “NORTHERN LIGHTS//,” his first release in nearly a year—and it’s unlike anything he’s dropped before. Departing from the raucous pop-punk energy that’s defined much of his catalog, the new track leans into an ambient, cinematic atmosphere that feels extremely intimate.
Built around his hushed, almost whispered vocals and a twinkling guitar line that evokes the vast quiet of the Midwest emo/indie movement of the late ‘90s/early 2000s, “NORTHERN LIGHTS//” reveals a more introspective and experimental side of Kenny’s artistry.
He shares the next chapter of his journey on social media. “I made this song in my cold ass basement with Cole almost two winters ago in Wisconsin.
Just wanted to focus on cool ideas, taking risks and less on suffocating a concept. This song came together so naturally and symbolized a rebirth for me as a human and artist within everything that was happening. Felt so raw and spiraling, sharp but woozy like a deer in the headlights.”
Read more: The Spill Canvas and Mae Announce 20th Anniversary Tour
He continues, “I think it’s about your vices being the only [thing] you’ve ever felt like ever actually belonged to you as well being something you never had to fight to get + feeling so free that you’ve ended up losing yourself. Idk… Let’s start here”
He adds in a press release, “I think it sounds like that, this song went through a lot of phases but I think it ended up back in its rawest form. I was listening to so much 90’s shoegaze and post rock bands around this time. I think this is probably a tribute to SONIC YOUTH and RIDE for saving my life, which is what I think this song wanted and needed. No shiny shit or production, just a journey. At this point in my life since losing my mom and becoming an independent artist, I’ve somewhat lost a compass.
I’ve become so free that I’ve gotten lost which is a blessing and curse, this is what I called ‘outer heaven.’ This song touches on doing what you can with what you have and not taking the path that has already been engraved. We can feel we’re on the right path, but in actuality, we’re all going toward the same brick wall; some people just happen to have a sunset on their journey to it.”
Watch the accompanying video, evoking the feeling of an indie film shot in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for “NORTHERN LIGHTS//” below.
