There’s a particular kind of chaos that comes with being seventeen that feels too big for your body, too loud for your head, and too raw to explain. And on her newest effort ‘17’, LA’s Hailey Hermida delivers a track that feels like a pressure valve finally blowing open.
From the first hit, the song carries a restless, unfiltered energy. The guitars are gritty and immediate, pulling from a grunge-leaning palette that feels rough around the edges in all the right ways. It’s buzzing with the kind of urgency that only comes from real emotion captured in the moment. The rhythm section drives everything forward with a sense of barely-contained momentum, like the track could spill over at any second.
But it’s Hailey’s vocal that defines the experience. You can hear the sharp sting of being misunderstood at a time when everything already feels heightened. Her delivery aims for truth, and that’s exactly what makes it hit so hard. There’s a rawness to it that feels almost intrusive, like you’re witnessing something that wasn’t meant to be filtered or softened.
What gives ‘17’ its weight is how specific it feels. This is a snapshot of a moment where emotions spiral, relationships fracture, and identity feels fragile. The anger at the core of the track is reactive, immediate, and deeply human. And yet, within that anger, there’s also a need to be heard, to be understood, and to make sense of it all.
Sonically, the track walks an interesting line between eras. There are clear nods to heavier alternative influences, but they’re paired with more contemporary production choices that keep the track feeling current rather than nostalgic. It’s a fusion that works, giving the song both weight and accessibility.
What ultimately makes ‘17’ resonate is its purpose. It provides a space to feel everything at full volume without apology. And that’s what leaves a lasting impression that is impossible to ignore.
