Recommended Tracks: “hell of a good time”, “good side”, “one before the one”
Artists You Might Like: Stevie Howie, Aidan Bissett, Thomas Day
Young love comes in waves; sometimes we think we understand everything there is to know about ourselves, while at others, it’s like we don’t even know. We fall in love, then out of it and are forced to deal with the emotional fallout that comes with the pain of love and realizing that not everything is as black and white as it seems when you’re becoming an adult. Through candid lyricism and eclectic soundscapes, emerging pop star Haiden Henderson is known for blending pop capabilities with a strong rock-and-roll edge in his music. In his third EP, lover boy, he explores young love and the complexities of becoming an adult.
Henderson continues to create the music of a boy band, even after adding his last name to his artist name following the announcement of his single “hell of a good time.” Combining blunt truths with melodic rock-and-roll, Henderson began releasing music in April 2021, trying to navigate the complexities of the 21st century, including social media, gossip and societal uproar. Following his earlier EPs, Good Grief! (2022) and Choke on My Heart (2024), which featured hit tracks, including “Fresh Blood,” Henderson describes his third record lover boy as a “one man boy band.” lover boy features six tracks, three of which are previously unreleased.
The EP kicks off with “bleachers,” a song that hits you hard and leaves you captivated and heartbroken. Beginning with gentle guitar melodies, Henderson delivers heartbreaking lyrics with his compelling voice, blending seamlessly with a familiar rock vibe. He sings, “So long, see you in the bleachers / My song blowing out the speakers.” Instead, he channels his energy into achieving success, even if he’s drawn deeper in with “hell of a good time.” This track features an infectious shuffle beat and soaring falsetto notes that define its energetic vibe. The track serves as the debut of his full artist name project, Haiden Henderson. Throughout the track, he remains intertwined in a tumultuous relationship, acknowledging its destructive nature. Yet, he’s unable to break free and finds himself enamored by the thrill and addiction, themes which are echoed in earlier releases like “Pretty Little Addict.”
Henderson continues this wave of intensity and passion with “K.O.,” which further captures the excitement of being in love. The title “K.O.,” which stands for “Knockout,” highlights Henderson’s emotional trauma stemming from the charm and allure of the person he loves, using boxing metaphors to describe the infatuation of this love. He sings, “K.O. / See me going down / Your bed is the ring / Let’s go another round.” With off-kilter acoustic guitar and exciting drum beats, “K.O.” uses double entendre and cheeky lyrics about boxing in a playful analogy about desire and intimacy. Henderson explained in a press release that he had never previously written about sex or love positively, noting that the track “glides through the air with more confidence than even [he ever has],” portraying this thrilling and “Knockout” experience.
But what happens after the honeymoon phase is over? Do you fall out of love or come to learn that it’s been right there all along? “broken in” explores the nuances of a relationship beyond the butterfly stages, using the passage of time to follow the emotional complexities. He describes intimacy amid shining guitar and percussion before realizing that “Nothing’s broken / We’re just broken in.” Until Henderson’s guitar-driven ballad track “good side” soars on the EP. He’s forced to reckon that to see the best in each other, we must find moments of vulnerability and even self-doubt. Henderson acknowledges moments of imperfection, singing, “You see me from my good side / Even when I don’t.”
Even when everything seems perfect, sometimes what’s good doesn’t quite last forever. In the EP’s concluding track, “one before the one,” Henderson falls back on his rock sensibilities and explores themes of being a stepping stone in past relationships, how he’s the one before “the one” — for someone else. Henderson describes being someone’s trial run or “crash test dummy,” saying he feels overlooked and unappreciated, singing, “Can’t believe I fixed you and never got a trophy / Funny that I’m the one who’s lonely / Hope you two are doing great / Glad I could accommodate.” But ultimately, it’s not enough as he concludes the EP feeling used and lonely, “I am the one before the one.”
With his arresting voice, introspective lyrics and emotionally charged melodies, Henderson is still learning what it means to be an adult in love; it comes in different forms. Sometimes it means being in love or the unrequited love in the relationship. Other times it means grappling with self-doubt, falling out of it and realizing that you are just the one before “the one” for someone else. Regardless, Henderson remains a lover boy, yearning for a love that seems just out of reach.
Keep up with Haiden Henderson: Instagram // Spotify // X // TikTok // YouTube
