There’s something quietly magnetic about a song that feels like a late-night conversation you weren’t ready to have. Hockitay’s “half smile” is exactly that kind of track. The Montreal-based artist steps away from his slower, more atmospheric roots and leans into something warmer and more immediate without losing the introspection that defines his work.
Guatemalan-born and now rooted in Montreal, Hockitay has been building a thoughtful indie pop sound that sits somewhere between hazy production and sharp emotional honesty. Classically trained at Concordia University, he has a knack for making songs that feel both intimate and carefully constructed. Earlier material like “over/over” earned attention from outlets such as Stereogum and The Line of Best Fit, along with multiple Spotify editorial placements. “half smile” continues that trajectory while opening the door a little wider.
The song itself trades the slower pacing of his previous work for fuzzy bass, punchy drums, and an understated indie-rock bounce. It still carries the softness of a lullaby, but there’s a quiet confidence in the rhythm section that keeps it moving forward. Warm melodies sit on top of that foundation, giving the track an easy, almost effortless feel. What sticks most is the central hook: “I’m not sure what I want / Except not wanting at all.” It’s the kind of line that lands softly and then stays with you. Equal parts lullaby and existential confession, the song turns personal disillusionment inward rather than shouting it outward.
That balance is what makes “half smile” work so well in the current indie pop landscape. Listeners are still drawn to tracks that feel personal and slightly unresolved, songs that sound good on first play but reveal more on the second and third. The production stays hazy without becoming vague, and the bounce in the drums and bass gives it just enough lift to feel like a step forward rather than a complete reinvention. It’s catchy in a restrained way, the kind of catchiness that doesn’t demand attention so much as it earns it.
Indie pop continues to thrive when artists find that sweet spot between accessibility and honesty. Tracks that carry emotional weight without heavy-handed drama tend to stick around longer, and “half smile” fits that space comfortably. Hockitay doesn’t overcomplicate the arrangement or the message. He lets the fuzzy textures and the simple, pointed lyric do the work. The result is a song that lingers after it ends, which is exactly what the best quiet anthems do.
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“half smile” is a strong example of an artist refining their sound without abandoning what made it interesting in the first place. Hockitay keeps the emotional core intact while adding a bit more bounce and color. The track feels like a natural progression and a quiet highlight at the same time.
What do you think of this one? Does the shift toward a more rhythmic indie pop feel work for you, or do you prefer the slower side of Hockitay’s earlier material? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
