Three-piece rock band from Indiana, SAKOYA, is ready to take the world by storm. Their full-length new EP, New Man, is out on all streaming platforms and consists of five amazing tracks. 

The title track, “New Man,” embodies the whole message behind this EP. Vocalist Alex Nauth notes that the song is to speak out for men who face the confrontational moments that come from facing their mental health and struggles that get overlooked due to societal expectations of what “being a man” means to the world. It’s about breaking free of those bonds and weight to find the strength to be who you truly deserve to show the world. This journey is not a one and done process, it’s a long road to fight — especially to heal from. This song is to remind them that none of it is a weakness, but that growth and self-discovery are strengths of their own. 

That is such a powerful statement to make and to let a song speak out on. Too often are men – and women included – met with unrealistic expectations of what to be and how. Women are expected to be submissive and let the man lead because we are defined as too emotional to take on such big roles in society, whereas men get the opposite. Men are expected to be strong at all times, both physically and emotionally, so if they want to “feel things,” then they must be too fragile like women. None of these statements are fair to either party. 

I think the band’s decision to write a track and focus the EP around this message as a whole is inspiring and should continue to press against the expectations of roles and divisions based on sex. Everyone should be allowed to discover who they are and feel whatever they can— we are only human. Being human means we have emotions and need to express them however best we can. There shouldn’t be a reason to suppress them. 

The lyrics, “the second skin is all you’ll see, I’ll fight to fill that part of me,” speak so loud on how we put on a face for the world. Too often do we front ourselves as what’s expected so we fight to show our true colors worried how it’ll be perceived. 

This entire EP from front to back is such a beautiful listen. I especially like the catchy riffs from the track “On and On.” Especially the line, “On and on, when will I catch a break,” which almost reads to me as a more aggressive song on the EP’s message. Maybe more of facing someone who might be stopping one from being true to themselves. Sometimes it’s not just society that holds us back, but whether someone—or even just ourselves. Fighting your own inner thoughts is such an uphill battle, and some days are harder than others. I often wonder, some days that are especially hard for myself, will I ever feel okay? Unfortunately, the battle scars and the fights we face are the ones that push us to continue. We need the opposition to continue to be the best version of ourselves because without struggles, we are at standstill. But that does not mean we don’t require rest and breaks. It’s all about how we choose to look at situations that give us the strength and ability to take a backseat from it all. 

Listen to the EP, really just listen. It’s such a powerful piece as a whole built upon the five individual tracks. I really wish SAKOYA was coming near me on a tour. I’m so very jealous of the East Coast because they’re going on tour this fall with one of my favorite bands, Stand Atlantic. That’s right— if you live in Boston, New York City, Washington D.C, or Philadelphia, you can catch this group live. I’m sure they’ll play some tracks from the new EP. Catch them opening for Australian pop-punk legends Stand Atlantic and rising-duo Daisy Grenade this October.