“You’ll Hate It Here” - West Friends
Credit: photo by Sarina Solem
Straight outta Seattle and San Francisco comes a brand-new pop-punk duo, West Friends, and they’re not pulling any punches with their debut single, “You’ll Hate It Here.” It’s a snarky, nostalgic, west coast pop-punk banger for anyone who's ever loved a messy city.
The title alone sounds like something you’d mutter to a tourist who just moved in for the tech job but this isn’t just a diss track to their cities—it’s a tongue-in-cheek love letter to home, flaws and all, wrapped in chunky guitars, high-energy hooks, and pop-punk spirit.
The band is made up of Jordan Renshaw and Isaiah Dominguez—two longtime friends and collaborators who know their way around a hook. Isaiah’s got serious pop-punk cred, having worked with names like Rian Dawson (All Time Low) and Johnny Minardi (Fueled By Ramen), while Jordan brings a genre-spanning edge from folk to EDM through his oddest sea project. Together, they fuse classic angst with a polished, 2025-ready sound—think blink-182 meets The Story So Far but with grown-up cynicism and better microphones.
The track is a melodic gut-punch that’s somehow both sarcastic and sincere. Its crunchy guitars blend with clever, bitterly honest lyrics.
Photo Credit: Artist EPK
It’s one of those songs that hits the sweet spot between fun and frustration—a theme most millennials and elder Gen Zs will know too well. Whether you’ve been burned by a breakup, a rent spike, or just the general weight of existing in a big city, “You’ll Hate It Here” gets it.
The production is a masterclass thanks to Tom Iannello (Transit, Driveways), who brings that emotional clarity-meets-chaotic crunch to life. The result is radio-ready but still rough around the edges in all the right ways. This is just the beginning—“You’ll Hate It Here” is just a teaser from their upcoming debut album “Junk Drawer” (dropping June 2025), which already sounds like it’s going to be the ultimate rock playlist.
“You’ll Hate It Here” is a sarcastic smirk, a heartfelt hug, and a raised middle finger all rolled into one three-minute track. It’s pop-punk for people who still wear band tees under their hoodies but now actually read the lease agreement. If you've ever loved a place while simultaneously screaming about it, this one’s for you.
So go ahead. Hit play. Roll your windows down. Complain about rent. And then scream the chorus like you’re 17 again. West Friends have arrived, and they brought the snarky singalong we’ve been missing.
“You’ll Hate It Here” is available now on all major streaming platforms
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Listen to West Friends and other similar artists on our Spotify Playlist ‘New Music Spotlight - Rock, Punk & Metal’
