Ray Hawthorne’s sophomore effort, Ray Hawthorne Isn’t Real (released August 14, 2025), crashes through the speakers with all the reckless energy and aching vulnerability that defined the golden era of pop-punk. Where his debut hinted at emotional depth, this record dives headlong into it. It’s messy, raw, and gloriously human.
From the opening track, it’s clear this isn’t a safe, polished pop album. Instead, Hawthorne delivers an unfiltered portrayal of self-doubt, heartbreak, and frustration, refusing to sand down the rough edges. This isn’t a curated version of pain and it’s the kind of emotional chaos that feels real. The result is a cathartic experience that resonates deeply with anyone who’s ever felt too much all at once.
Musically, the record plants its flag firmly in the pop-punk/emo camp, with jagged guitar riffs, pounding drums, and wonderful melodies. Fans of early 2000s pop-punk will find themselves drenched in nostalgia, yet the sound isn’t derivative, it feels like an evolution. Comparisons to Machine Gun Kelly’s recent foray into pop-punk are inevitable, but Hawthorne brings a sincerity that sets him apart.
Perhaps the most striking thing about Ray Hawthorne Isn’t Real is how much it feels like a protest against the plastic sheen of modern pop culture. In a world obsessed with curated perfection, Hawthorne opts for cracks, bruises, and all-out chaos.
Ray Hawthorne Isn’t Real is an exhilarating ride through the highs and lows of raw human experience, dressed up in punchy guitar riffs and sing-along hooks. It’s a confession booth set to power chords. For fans craving authenticity in a filtered world, this one hits like a gut punch.
