HOW LONG - HINDER
The rebirth of testosterone-driven, emo-free arena rock is in full swing, with Hinder’s power ballad “Lips of an Angel” sticking to the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 like a fresh tattoo. Follow-up “How Long” is a two-punch tale of love gone wrong that makes clear that this year’s rock sensation is more than just a Nickelback facsimile. Launching with a giant, Jagermeister-fueled hook that spills into crunching guitars, the rocker has a visceral live sound and showcases Austin Winkler’s raucous vocals, which are more volcanic than Chad Kroeger’s sentimental roar. Here are the true heirs of pop metal: melody-focused, hard-rocking and fun-loving, unapologetically feeding on rock’s most precious cliches. Billboard
