Greg Hoy is back with his latest album, โHit Musicโ, a collection of songs that encapsulates his resilience, reinvention, and unwavering passion for rock. Released on March 14, 2025, the album follows a period of unexpected challenges for the California-based musician, turning adversity into artistic growth. Accompanying the release, Hoy has embarked on a tour, bringing his new sound to fans across the U.S. This acts as the follow-up to Greg Hoy & The Boysโ EP which contains four versions of their latest song โHoly Mother of Godโ.
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Overcoming Challenges to Create โHit Musicโ
The journey to โHit Musicโ was not a straightforward one. During a performance in New York City, Hoy experienced a moment of alarm when his left hand went completely numb mid-set. As the symptoms persisted throughout his tour, he later received a diagnosis of spinal arthritis, two fused vertebrae, and cervical radiculopathy. With playing the guitar causing nerve pain, Hoy shifted his focus to another instrumentโdrums.
What began as a necessity quickly became a creative rebirth. Renting a small studio space in Pacifica, California, Hoy spent months refining his drumming skills, drawing inspiration from bands like Fugazi, Don Caballero, and even the rhythmic stylings of Phil Collins. The result was an unfiltered and organic songwriting process, with each track developing naturally around live drum recordings as the backbone.
Talking about the studio, Hoy said, โIโd drop my daughter off at preschool, head straight to the studio, and just play whatever felt good. It was a return to my earliest recording experiencesโraw, instinctual, and completely live.โ
In true DIY fashion, Hoy played nearly every instrument on the albumโdrums, guitars, bass, and keyboardsโsticking to a philosophy of full takes and no digital shortcuts. Adding a fresh twist, he also collaborated with German trumpeter Kelly OโDonohue and Pittsburgh saxophonist Ben Opie. The addition gives โHit Musicโ an unexpected yet cohesive energy, expanding Hoyโs sonic palette while staying true to his rock roots.
The albumโs title came from an old, cryptic sign Hoy noticed outside a local steakhouse that simply read โHit Musicโ. โI kept passing by it every day, and it just stuck,โ Hoy says. โIt got me thinkingโwhat if, instead of a greatest hits album, I made a record that felt like one?โ
โHit Musicโ Track-by-Track Review
โThe Simulationโ opens the album with an atmospheric indie-rock sound that highlights Greg Hoyโs instrumental prowess. The track gains momentum with a striking saxophone segment, injecting dynamic energy into the arrangement. Hoyโs indie-rock vocals seamlessly weave into the instrumentation, building intensity until the song builds to a powerful indie-rock crescendo. This is followed by โLast Quarterโ, an indie-rock ballad that begins with a driving drumbeat, setting the stage for Hoyโs evocative vocals as he delivers heartfelt lyrics about his daughter.
The third track on the album is โGoldโ, which delivers an anthemic rock rhythm that immediately hooks the listener. Hoyโs soft vocals glide over the instrumentation, allowing the rich layers of sound to take centre stage as he delves into themes of love and desire within the lyrics. โWhat, My People?โ follows next, showcasing impressive guitar work throughout, with standout statement segments that demand attention. Hoyโs indie-rock vocals blend seamlessly with the instrumentation, creating an infectious and engaging sound.
Track number five, โThe Wheelโ, embodies the essence of an indie-rock anthem, making it a strong contender for indie-rock playlists. Its infectious energy is driven by a compelling guitar-led arrangement, delivering an immersive and dynamic listening experience. This is followed by โThe Machineโ, a slowed-down ballad with a sultry beat, where Hoy critiques societal expectations, work-life balance, and conformity. Through vivid metaphors like feeding a machine and rolling the dice, he crafts striking imagery that resonates with listeners, capturing the uncertainties and pressures of life. The saxophone jumps in halfway through, giving an exciting segment before blending in with the rest of the backing track.
โLuck Vs Fateโ is the seventh track on the album, and itโs a whole new sound for Greg Hoy as horns blend with the exciting guitar rhythms, taking the lead and giving the indie-rock sound a big band twist. The trumpets are powerful throughout but itโs the awesome guitar segment in the middle of the track that fully makes an impressive statement while impactful lyrics allude to intelligence being a better factor than luck itself. This is followed by โThe Nxโ, which feels like a late-โ90s-early-โ00s indie-rock ballad track that uses vocalise to add more of an original sound.
Next up is โI Have Frustrationโ, which sees the bass kick in to start, followed by the drums, then the vocals, and then the guitars. Hoy decides to paint a narrative with these lyrics, with a slight musical-theatre tinge to them reminding us of โThe Rocky Horror Picture Showโ or โThe Nightmare Before Christmasโ. He airs out his grievances to his ex who he has frustration with, adding strong passion and emotion throughout. This is preceded by โThe Devilโ, which sees Hoy again delve into an imaginative narrative that transforms at the chorus, bringing back his well-loved indie-rock vocal sound.
The last two tracks are โStay Fun!โ and โHit Musicโ, the former is another addictive indie-rock track that is set to be picked up by playlists and the guitar segment is undeniably authentically beautiful; while the latter is the title track and last one on the album so is set to make an impact. Itโs a nice gentle indie-rock ballad track that ends the album brilliantly as it reflects on popular music and how it brings escapism to various audiences regardless of their activities.
As an entire package, โHit Musicโ delivers an indie-rock collection that showcases Greg Hoyโs ability to create addictive tracks and experiment within his field is undeniable. He doesnโt hold back, pushing tracks emotionally, instrumentally, and lyrically. The last track explores how music is escapism and thatโs exactly what this album has been doing to its listeners.
Bringing โHit Musicโ to the Stage
To celebrate the release of โHit Musicโ, Greg Hoy has been hitting the road for a series of intimate, high-energy performances. While keeping his tours shorter this year due to health and family commitments, Hoy remains dedicated to bringing his music to live audiences. โBoth my back and my daughter would prefer shorter tours this year,โ Hoy jokes. โAnd who am I to fight nature?โ
2025 Tour Dates:
- March 7, 2025 โ Deeโs Lounge, Nashville, TN, USA
- March 11, 2025 โ Snug Harbor, New Paltz, NY, USA
- March 13, 2025 โ The Fire, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- March 14, 2025 โ Baker Falls, New York, NY, USA
- March 15, 2025 โ Metropolis, Mechanicsburg, PA, USA
- March 22, 2025 โ Kilowatt, San Francisco, CA, USA (LP Release Day Show)
- April 3, 2025 โ Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco, CA, USA
- April 5, 2025 โ Spanckys, Cotati, CA, USA
Greg Hoyโs Ever-Evolving Legacy
With a career defined by independence, experimentation, and dedication to authentic rock music, Greg Hoy continues to push boundaries with โHit Musicโ. From overcoming physical challenges to embracing a new approach to songwriting, this album showcases his artistry in its purest form. Whether through the raw energy of his recordings or the intimate power of his live shows, Hoy proves once again why he remains a force in the independent music scene.