Indie pop/rock trio half•alive have returned with their powerful new single, “Automatic,” showcasing a side of the band that fans may not have seen before. Known for their dynamic visuals and genre-blending sound, half•alive—comprising vocalist Josh Taylor, multi-instrumentalist Brett Kramer, and bassist J Tyler Johnson—explores raw emotions and urgent themes in their latest release, giving listeners a taste of what’s to come from their upcoming third studio album, ‘Persona’.
“Automatic” is characterized by its chaotic and propulsive energy, with lyrics that confront the complexities of human nature. Lines like “watch the world burn, kiss it away, notice your heart, breaking like waves” reflect a visceral response to the turmoil of the world. The track presents a message of accountability and calls for action, something Taylor explains came from a deep place within the band.
“We had a lot of expressive songs on the record, but nothing angry. An angry song is a bit challenging for us actually,” Taylor shares. “A song worth being loud about comes from somewhere deep inside the gut, from looking at some ugly part of human nature and screaming at it—in this case it’s an ache for a healthy world and a call for accountability in how we are hurting it.”
The single also comes with a striking music video directed by Taylor, where half•alive formally introduces fans to the mascots of ‘Persona’: Sonny and Cher. These monster-like characters were inspired by a digital artist the band discovered online, whose Instagram account (@blatant.space) featured exaggerated, fantastical creatures. With the artist’s blessing, half•alive brought these characters to life as mascots, representing the concept of wearing different personas to protect one’s true self.
The band’s visual creativity has always been a key part of their identity, and this release is no exception. With a distinctive approach to storytelling through music videos, half•alive continues to explore deep themes in ways that resonate both visually and sonically.
“Automatic” follows the release of the album’s first single, “Sophie’s House,” which dropped last month. Drawing inspiration from classic MGM-style musicals like “West Side Story”, the music video for “Sophie’s House” set the tone for what Persona would be: a project that is bold, dynamic, and introspective.
Produced by Tommy King (known for his work with HAIM, The 1975, and Vampire Weekend) and featuring collaborators like Justin Tranter, Skyler Stonestreet, Emma Rosen, and Jonah Shy, ‘Persona’ promises to be a cohesive body of work exploring themes of love, anger, longing, and crisis. Across its 11 tracks, the album examines how personalities develop and how the outside world influences our perception of ourselves.
In ‘Persona’, half•alive strips back the layers of their sound, focusing on essential elements while maintaining the inventive nature that has come to define their music. As Taylor explains, “We intentionally kept things broad, painting with a wide brush, and boiled every song down to its most essential elements.”
Set for release on November 15th via Virgin Music Group, ‘Persona’ invites listeners to reflect on the complexities of human nature and the personas we adopt to navigate the world. Through their innovative blend of music, visuals, and storytelling, half•alive continues to push the boundaries of indie pop and rock, delivering an album that promises both depth and creative exploration.
