hey thanks. have returned — and with a darker, more deliberate sound.
Blending post-punk and new wave influences, their sophomore full-length, Avoidance, reflects on time, identity, and the weight of isolation.
The album will arrive July 3 via Iodine Recordings. Pre-order or pre-save it here.
Today, the band shares the moody, new wave and '80s-influenced single "Recollection." Listen Below":
"Lyrically, this song is an expression of trying to understand the difference between love and desire," says singer Travis Opal. "The feeling of fulfillment that certain social and romantic relationships can give a person, etching them into feeling a sense of community and/or belonging. But trying to understand where that intent comes from within."
As for the song itself, Opal shares, "The production was created using a lot of the live drum samples we made and fiddling with live percussion and guitar performances. Blending that in with a wide array of synth landscapes that we recorded in our home studio."
Overall, Avoidance finds hey thanks. stepping back from trying to explain everything and sitting in the uncertainty instead.
Across these songs, nothing fully resolves. Moments repeat, thoughts loop, and meaning stays just out of reach. It lives in that in-between space, caught between experience and understanding.
As mentioned by Opal, Avoidance was recorded in their home studio. The album took shape piece by piece using live drum samples, layered percussion, guitar performances, and dense synth work, giving Avoidance its character. The band allowed the songs to unfold naturally, arriving somewhere more honest in the process.
Built on synth layers, live percussion, and bright, driving rhythms, the songs move with a steady pulse while never fully settling. There is a constant push and pull throughout, something that feels light on the surface but carries weight underneath.
Rather than offering clarity, Avoidance stays with the questions.
HEY THANKS. ARE:
Travis Opal — Vocals
Jaron Dufrene — Guitar
Trevor Lee — Drums