Want to take a trip back to the 2000s, when boy bands ruled and strong vocals were essential for pop success?
Listen to “hellbent” by nokio—an alt-pop artist who channels the spirit of an entire boy band in one.
With soulful harmonies, a rich vocal register that grounds you, and a falsetto that feels like time itself is pausing, nokio pulls you in and keeps you there.
You can immediately hear the Boyz II Men influence—from the layered harmonies to the emotional delivery. Lyrically, it’s a love song that fits seamlessly into the sonic lane he’s carving out, and he nails it. The track sees nokio riffing, harmonizing, and flexing his vocal power from section to section. It feels like a romantic protest—one that makes his artistic intent clear.
The production is full of shimmering textures, warm chord progressions, and a pop ballad feel that embodies the 2000s. It’s the kind of track you could easily imagine Backstreet Boys releasing in their prime.
Props to nokio for not just honoring the genre—but owning it. He’s not chasing nostalgia; he’s mastering it on his own terms.
