Nokio Channels 2000s Boy Band Glory on “Hellbent”

Craving a nostalgic journey to the 2000s? Back when boy bands dominated the charts and powerhouse vocals were non-negotiable for pop stardom.

nokio’s "hellbent" delivers exactly that—this alt-pop sensation somehow captures the essence of an entire boy band within his solo artistry. It’s honestly pretty remarkable.

His soulful harmonies hit different. That rich vocal register grounds you instantly, while his falsetto makes time feel suspended—nokio draws you in and refuses to let go.

The Boyz II Men influence jumps out immediately. Those layered harmonies, that emotional delivery—it’s all there, perfectly executed.

Lyrically, it reads like a love song that fits his evolving sonic identity seamlessly. And wow, does he nail it completely.

Throughout the track, nokio’s constantly shifting gears—riffing here, harmonizing there, flexing his vocal range from section to section. The whole thing feels like a romantic protest, making his artistic vision crystal clear.

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Production-wise? Pure shimmer and warmth.

Those chord progressions radiate comfort, wrapped in that classic pop ballad aesthetic that screams early 2000s. You could easily picture the Backstreet Boys dropping this during their absolute peak.

Major props to nokio for not just paying homage to the genre—he’s completely owning it. He’s not chasing nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake; he’s mastering it on his own terms.