SINGLE REVIEW: Hey Fever – Say Sunshine

Hey Fever burst out of New York with ‘Say Sunshine’, a debut that’s messy, magnetic, and full of personality. It opens with a curious, almost playful intro — a chiptune pulse that gives off Nintendocore vibes, as if the track’s toying with going in one direction before shifting gears. That digital fizz quickly dissolves into something broader and more atmospheric, guitars swelling into an expansive alt-rock sound that feels equal parts desolate and defiant. The production is drenched in reverb and streaked with early 90s tones, giving it a lived-in, lo-fi warmth that suits the band’s restless energy.

The vocals hit somewhere between a grunge drawl and punk snarl, gritty but controlled, riding the line between exhaustion and attitude. They carry the track’s emotional weight — weary yet determined — as the rhythm rolls and winds around them. There’s a rough charm to the delivery that keeps things grounded, and when the song hits its bigger moments, the sound feels genuinely huge. It’s textured, raw, and strangely cinematic, the kind of song that feels like it should soundtrack flickering city lights or late-night chaos.

That said, the repetition of the “I don’t appreciate” chorus slightly overstays its welcome. A touch less vocal layering there might’ve let the instrumentation breathe more freely — the guitars, in particular, feel strong enough to hold the spotlight on their own. But the track quickly makes up for it with an unexpected twist: a hip-hop-inflected segment that slides in seamlessly, breaking the tension and adding a new pulse. It’s surprisingly cohesive, bringing a flash of Gym Class Heroes-style rhythmic swagger without derailing the mood.

‘Say Sunshine’ is a bold, multifaceted debut that refuses to sit still. Hey Fever blend alt-rock grit, nostalgic haze, and hip-hop edge into something that shouldn’t work but absolutely does. It’s raw, unpredictable, and distinctive — the kind of song that doesn’t just introduce a band, but announces one.