With "Hallways," the legendary punk rock band PUP from Toronto turns their most challenging experiences into relatable musical brilliance following their fifth album, *Who Will Look After the Dogs?*
PUP has always embraced difficult discussions in their music. They excel at expressing rage, sorrow, and even moments of lightheartedness. Each song carries a distinct energetic vibe, and their latest single, "Hallways," is no exception.
"Hallways" is the first track written by lead vocalist Stefan Babcock for their upcoming album, *Who Will Look After the Dogs?*, which is due out on May 2nd (via Rise Records). This new song is noticeably more upbeat compared to their earlier work. The intensity found in their initial release, "Paranoid," gives way for "Hallways," allowing for an emphasis on lyrical depth.
PUP’s fifth album, *Who Will Look After the Dogs?*, is set to be released in early May.
“I took a while for it to sink in,
The way you never express what you truly think.
I took a while to realize that I keep battling this feeling,
And once again, I’ve been lucid dreaming.
I turn on the TV but the thoughts won’t cease,
So I’ll unplug it, but they just won't release.”
The song certainly explores the theme of loss; losing someone in any capacity brings pain and creates a significant void for those left behind. PUP resonates with this feeling and uses their personal experiences to deliver a cathartic pop-punk anthem.
The track launches with familiar loud guitar riffs and Babcock's unique vocal style. As it progresses, the initial chaos is transformed into a more controlled and melodic sound. This showcases a matured PUP that retains its punk rock essence while venturing into a more sophisticated musical realm. They’re no longer just angry and chaotic; they’ve turned introspective and subdued, and that essence permeates this song.
It possesses a sense of purpose and intensity, clearly reflected in the song's instrumentation, production, and mixing. Comparing it to their past work reveals a stark contrast between the younger, fervent PUP and the older, more contemplative PUP.
“The first night without you,
I crumpled on the living room floor.
What am I supposed to do
if I can never see you again?
The first night without you,
I fell on the floor.
Because when one door closes,
It might never open,
There might not be any other doors,
There might not be any other doors.”
The lyrics are passionate, resonating with thoughts many confront during dark periods. The uncertainty of the future and the process of moving forward often induces anxiety, which Stefan captures in his words. He twists the familiar saying, “When one door closes, another opens,” into a more foreboding reflection: “When one door closes, it might never open; there might be no other doors.”
This lingering anxiety surrounding release and the plunge into the unknown is both palpable and exaggerated. The subsequent lyric, “I’m losing the will to keep carrying on, but I can’t die yet because who will look after the dog?” heightens this dramatic sentiment. This line, which is also part of the album's title, perfectly encapsulates the essence of the song, evoking a grounding presence that prevents one from fully spiraling. Babcock shares that this title is both overblown and a bit humorous, yet the underlying emotions remain genuine and relatable.
“I’m losing the will to keep dragging on,
But I can’t die yet because who will look after the dog?
And when you finally let go,
And you told me you wished I didn’t exist,
But karma is rich, isn’t it?”
Every individual faces dark times, and it's easy to be overtaken by intense thoughts. Although these feelings seem real while in the moment, they often come off as somewhat absurd and melodramatic when viewed from the other side.
“I find it devastating, yet in a ‘wow, this is overdramatic’ kind of way, particularly in light of the preceding line,” Babcock remarks.
“That’s what makes it amusing to us. The exaggerated things we all say during our darkest hours can be downright funny once the storm passes. I’m not sure if others find it funny, but sometimes you’ve got to laugh at yourself. It’s the only way out of the abyss. Believe me.”
The music video for "Hallways," directed by Sterling Larose, portrays the theme of unshakable despair as the band blends into the surrounding furniture, illustrating the surreal feeling of sitting in the same spot for so long that you almost become one with it. Though it appears whimsical, it poignantly captures the true experience of depression, as lying in one place for an extended period can create the sensation of
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With "Hallways," the iconic punk rock band PUP from Toronto converts their most challenging experiences into relatable musical brilliance following the release of their fifth album, 'Who Will Look After the Dogs?'