Pop-rock artist Hailey Hermida has returned with her latest single, “good”, a track that channels the emotional rush of reconnecting with someone thought to be firmly in the past. The release sees Hermida leaning further into the intense, guitar-driven sound she has been steadily carving out, pairing raw emotion with bold, high-energy production. This acts as the follow-up to her last year’s single release, “straitjacket“.
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At its core, “good” thrives on momentum and contrast, balancing moments of intensity with flashes of vulnerability. Written by Hailey Hermida, Onique “Sparrow” Williams, and Riley Urick—with production handled by Urick—the track’s muscular sound is driven by forceful vocals, heavy bass, and sharp guitar lines, creating an immediate sense of urgency that pulls listeners into a fast-moving, emotionally charged pop-rock experience. Hermida leans fully into the song’s emotional weight, delivering rich, expressive vocals shaped by early-2000s pop-rock and heavier rock influences, recalling the punch of Papa Roach, the rhythmic drive of early Paramore, and the emotive intensity of The Pretty Reckless.
Talking about the track, Hermida said, “I wrote ‘good’ about the moment someone from my past unexpectedly returned, and together we realized the spark never really died out. It’s exciting, but it’s also vulnerable. Sonically, I wanted the song to feel intense and alive. The big vocals, heavy bass, and driving guitars are very intentionally intertwined with the storytelling of the lyrics. This intense sound brings that rush of emotion and pulls the listener straight into the story.”
The single follows Hailey Hermida’s fan-favourite release “straitjacket”, which marked a noticeable shift toward a heavier pop-rock sound. While this new single exists in the same sonic universe, it pushes further, embracing more aggressive guitar work and vocal delivery. Where “straitjacket” introduced the edge, “good” sharpens it, showcasing growing confidence and intensity in Hermida’s musical direction.
Hermida’s relationship with songwriting began in her early teens, long before she stepped onto a live stage. After developing her craft privately during the pandemic, that early experimentation gradually turned into a more focused artistic direction. Her first live performance followed in spring 2023 at The Mint, where she discovered a strong connection to the physical energy and immediacy of pop-rock music.
Since then, Hailey Hermida has been collaborating closely with GRAMMY®-nominated producer Riley Urick and co-songwriter Onique “Sparrow” Williams, whose combined credits include working with major artists such as Usher and Britney Spears. Together, the trio have developed a punk-leaning pop-rock sound built around high-energy vocals and hard-hitting guitar and bass lines.
“Writing ‘good’ was uniquely special because it came from a very honest place,” Hermida explains. “When I came into the studio that day, I wasn’t necessarily trying to force a concept out; I just let the emotions lead and we built the song around that feeling. Every element, from the guitars to the songwriting, was about capturing that moment as truthfully as possible.”
From a production standpoint, “good” leans into a darker pop-rock palette, using density and weight as key elements of its impact. As Hermida explains, “I wanted the production to feel thick and electrifying. Something that really pulls you in and doesn’t let go.” That approach reinforces the track’s sense of momentum while underscoring Hermida’s ongoing push to carve out space for a stronger female presence within today’s punk and alternative scenes.
Rather than leaning on a single influence, “good” draws its strength from how its references are layered and balanced. As Hailey Hermida explains, “What makes this song stand out is how all my inspirations came together with intention. From Paramore and Korn to Slipknot and 2hollis, I wanted the song to hold a sense of mystery because reconnecting with someone after a long time feels unknown on both sides. Everything was built to feel powerful, emotional, and a little unpredictable.”
With this new single release, Hermida continues to evolve her pop-rock sound, blending intensity, emotion, and melodic power. More music from the rising artist is expected soon, promising to further build on the momentum she’s created with her recent releases.
“good”, by Hailey Hermida, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via Crunchy Ankles 32.
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