In an era where manufactured pop dominates the airwaves, HattenandOrliss emerges as a beacon of authentic artistry, crafting melodies that feel both timelessly familiar and startlingly fresh. Their latest single, “Look at That”, stands as a testament to their unique ability to transform the mundane into the magical, weaving a sonic tapestry that captures the ephemeral beauty of those fleeting moments when reality becomes almost too vivid to bear.
The duo’s origin story reads like a manifesto for artistic integrity. Hatten, whose songwriting journey began at the tender age of five with bicycle rides that birthed impromptu Top-40 compositions complete with imaginary guests and commercials, has always possessed an innate understanding of melody’s power. His path through Berklee College of Music only sharpened what was already a razor-sharp instinct for crafting unforgettable hooks. When prestigious offers came knocking—opportunities to join the touring bands of household names—Hatten made a decision that would define his artistic philosophy: he turned them all down. His reasoning was as simple as it was profound: “Why would I want to play someone else’s song night after night?” This rejection of the conventional path speaks to an artist who understands that true creativity cannot be commodified or reduced to mere performance.
Orliss, the rhythmic backbone of this creative partnership, brings his own philosophy to the table. As both drummer and songwriter, he shares Hatten’s unwavering belief that melody is the soul of any memorable song. Together, they’ve forged a creative bond built on the understanding that each composition must stand as its own universe, melodically distinct and emotionally resonant. Their collaborative process isn’t just about creating music—it’s about conjuring experiences.
The HattenandOrliss sound occupies a fascinating space in contemporary music. They’ve managed to distill the melodic warmth and lush harmonies of vintage pop while injecting their own cinematic energy and modern unpredictability. This isn’t nostalgic pastiche—it’s reverent innovation. Their tracks offer grandeur without drowning in cliché, creating music that feels like a cherished memory you’ve never actually lived. It’s classic pop, but not as you know it.
“Look at That” represents the duo at their most accomplished, a shimmering example of their ability to find profundity in the everyday. The track operates on multiple levels, functioning simultaneously as an infectious pop anthem and a deeply personal meditation on the nature of desire, reality, and the human tendency to find solace in dreams when waking life feels insufficient.
The song’s narrative structure is deceptively simple yet emotionally complex. It follows the protagonist through the liminal space between sleep and consciousness, where the boundaries between dream and reality become beautifully blurred. The opening lines establish this ethereal landscape—a paradise that feels cinematic in its perfection, complete with the mythic imagery of a phoenix rising from ashes. This isn’t just dream imagery; it’s the construction of an alternate reality where beauty and wonder reign supreme.
What makes “Look at That” particularly compelling is its exploration of the magnetic pull between the dream world and harsh reality. The recurring motif of the alarm clock becomes more than just a plot device—it’s a symbol of society’s relentless demand that we abandon our personal paradises for the mundane obligations of daily existence. The protagonist’s desperate plea of “don’t go” resonates with anyone who’s ever wanted to extend a perfect moment indefinitely.
The song’s central figure—the mysterious “she” who commands such reverence—functions as both a specific object of desire and a broader metaphor for those rare moments of transcendent beauty that punctuate our lives. The description of her as a “perfect ten” and “something you’ll never see again” speaks to the way certain experiences imprint themselves on our consciousness with such intensity that they become almost mythical in memory.
HattenandOrliss demonstrate remarkable lyrical sophistication in their treatment of consciousness and perception. The line about feeling “surreal” and “hardly feeling, about to blow my mind” captures that disorienting sensation when reality becomes so vivid it feels almost hallucinogenic. This isn’t just about romantic attraction—it’s about those moments when life becomes so beautiful it seems almost too good to be true.
The production of “Look at That” perfectly complements its thematic content. The lush instrumentation creates a dreamlike atmosphere that mirrors the song’s lyrical landscape, while the anthemic chorus provides the emotional release that the protagonist desperately seeks. The track’s shimmering quality gives it an almost ethereal texture, as if the music itself is caught between worlds.
Perhaps most impressive is how HattenandOrliss manage to make this deeply personal experience feel universal. Everyone has had that moment of reluctant awakening, that desperate desire to remain in a perfect instant just a little longer. The song taps into something primal about human nature—our tendency to create internal sanctuaries where we can experience beauty without the complications of real life.
The duo’s refusal to simply rehash the past while drawing from its rich traditions is evident throughout “Look at That”. They’ve created something that feels both timeless and contemporary, familiar yet surprising. It’s the kind of track that reveals new layers with each listen, a quality that speaks to Hatten’s belief that each song should be capable of standing on its own as a complete artistic statement.
“Look at That” isn’t just a single—it’s a manifesto for the power of melody to transport us beyond the mundane. In a world that often feels increasingly fragmented and harsh, HattenandOrliss offer a reminder that beauty still exists, even if we sometimes have to close our eyes to find it. Their music doesn’t just entertain; it enriches, creating moments of genuine wonder in an often wonder-starved world.
As HattenandOrliss continue to develop their unique voice within the contemporary pop landscape, “Look at That” stands as a perfect encapsulation of their artistic vision. It’s music that respects the past while fearlessly embracing the future, creating something authentically new from the foundation of what came before. For listeners craving pop music with genuine soul and heart, HattenandOrliss represent everything that’s possible when artistry takes precedence over commerce, when melody matters more than marketing, and when the dream is always worth fighting to preserve—even if it’s just for nine more minutes.
OFFICIAL LINKS: SPOTIFY – INSTAGRAM – YOUTUBE
