The Long Beach native is at the start of a new chapter in his musical career — one that veers even further onto its own course and away from the expected.
As a co-founder of the distinguished collective GothBoiClique, Cold Hart’s intimate knowledge of emo, rock, and hip-hop has resulted in a sound all his own. With several EPs under his belt and a collection of well-received singles — including the smash hit “Eyes” ft. Rawska — Cold Hart continues his hot streak with the first release off his upcoming album Good Morning Cruel World.
“Nick Cave In” is an ode to the excitement of a dangerous love. “I’m in too deep. I might cave in,” Cold Hart sings, simultaneously monotone and laden with pent-up energy that is reflected in producer YAWNS’ electric guitar riffs, reminiscent of early 1980s post-punk.
In the visual directed by Max Moore, a young couple — undoubtedly channeling criminal pair Bonnie and Clyde — steals cash from a bar register. While the woman distracts the bartender, the man sneaks behind the counter and throws money from the register into a bag. In keeping with the frantic nature of the scene, Cold Hart sings, “I might pull up outside. Black horses, baby let’s ride. Lay in the dark by my side” — an allusion to a dark and sickly love as invigorating as a successful robbery.
As the pair flee with a last gestural threat to the owner, Cold Hart lays the foundation for the dissolution of their relationship-in-crime, “Match made in Hell, she stuck a knife in me. Violet and violent, I wish we never met.” While counting their stolen cash in their hotel room, things turn sour when the lovers turn on one another. With a gun in his face, the woman escapes the hotel, cash in hand.
Despite its narrative quality, Moore’s visual provides ample screentime to both Cold Hart and YAWNS, and it works to give visual representation to the often underappreciated role that producers play in creating music. At the video’s start, Cold Hart and YAWNS perform on stage in the same bar that the couple robs a few moments later, but YAWNS appears as both guitarist, bassist, and drummer to Cold Hart’s vocalist. The duo appears again as the couple makes their break from the bar and in their hotel room, bearing witness to the criminals’ inevitable downfall.
A creative storyteller and impressive lyricist, Cold Hart’s reign is just beginning. If “Nick Cave In” is any indication of the album to follow, fans of a myriad of genres will be drawn to its original sound and seamless production. Check out the visual for “Nick Cave In” below.