Let's just get a few things out of the way here first and foremost: Yes, KŌYŌ is a Long Island Hardcore (LIHC) band. Yes, they're soemtimes referred to as "Melodic Hardcore,' as well. Yes, KŌYŌ has six members. Yes, their frontman is as ripped as The Incredible Hulk. Yes, their bassist is a semi-professional wrestler. Yes, one of their EP covers is a allusion to Taking Back Sunday's Tell All Your Friends. Yes, KŌYŌ's music is often compared to Taking Back Sunday & The Movielife. To any effect, KŌYŌ is back with their second single for their new label home, Pure Noise Records. Earlier this week, KŌYŌ dropped their new single, "Straight North," whicj features Joey Chiaramonte, T.J. Rotolico, Harold Griffin, Mike Marazzo, Sal Argento, and Steve Spanos. "We just put out a brand new single, "Straight North," with an accompanying video. Thank you all to have already listened. if you haven't, check it out here. Like a lot of the bands KŌYŌ is inspired by, I feel we exist on a bit of a spectrum sonically."


"Some songs are more high-energy and inspired by Hardcore, others, are more nuanced and ballad-like. "Straight North" exists more on the ballad side of the spectrum," frontman Joey Chiaramonte shared within a press release. "'Straight North" is a sister song of sorts to a track on our first EP called "Heaven So Heavy." This song was written before any of the Drives Out East material; it'd been in the chamber for almost two years before we, actually, decided to record it as a single. Although, it's about a now very distant time in my life, I feel there's, potentially, something tangible and meaningful there for people who may have felt or feel a similar way. I hope people can relate," Chiaramonte continued. Just last night, KŌYŌ kicked off a month-long tour in Nashville supporting Knocked Loose, Movements, and Kublai Khan. Who knows exactly what KŌYŌ have in store for us next, but judging by both "Ten Digits Away" & "Straight North," if it's an EP or album, it's gonna be an extremely strong one!