Sometimes, the hardest battles are the ones happening inside our own heads. The desire to hold onto something, the fear of losing someone, and the emotional exhaustion of feeling like you’re slowly falling apart all come together on “Never Let Go,” the latest release from Nashville-based alternative pop band In Color. Released through Big Loud Rock, the single showcases a more vulnerable side of the group, pairing expansive production with emotionally charged songwriting that explores longing, hopelessness, and the darker corners of human connection.
Built around shimmering synths, powerful instrumental layers, and soaring vocal melodies, “Never Let Go” balances the excitement of arena-sized alternative pop with a much heavier emotional undercurrent. Frontman Matt Hastings delivers the song with an expressive vocal performance that moves between tenderness and intensity, giving the lyrics an added sense of urgency. There is something particularly compelling about the contrast between the track’s polished, uplifting sound and the melancholy woven throughout its message. Rather than allowing the production to overshadow the emotion, In Color use each musical layer to amplify the song’s vulnerability.
The release arrives during an especially exciting period for the band. After joining The Band CAMINO on tour, selling out multiple headline performances across the UK and United States, and earning recognition as a BBC Radio 1 Next Wave Artist, In Color are quickly establishing themselves as a rising name in alternative pop. Their growing audience is a reflection of a band unafraid to experiment with sound while maintaining a strong connection to emotionally driven songwriting.
Their breakout single “Headlights” helped propel them into a much larger spotlight, reaching #1 at Alternative Radio, surpassing 30 million streams, and securing a placement in Madden NFL 27. The track also helped introduce their music to audiences beyond the alternative scene, while previous releases earned recognition through Rolling Stone’s Songs You Need to Know feature. Currently, the band is continuing its touring run with Pierce The Veil, Jutes, and The Maine, alongside select headline appearances.
What makes In Color particularly interesting is the chemistry behind the music. Comprised of Holden Clontz, Matthew Hastings, Val Hoyt, and Miles Laderman, the Nashville outfit is built on years of friendship, shared musical experiences, and a willingness to explore creative territory beyond traditional genre boundaries. Their connection began long before the band officially came together, with several members having crossed paths through school, mutual friends, and their time in Nashville.
Interestingly, the circumstances that brought the group together as a band involved a major snowstorm in early 2024. After spending an unexpected weekend snowed in together, the musicians began recognizing the possibilities of combining their individual creative backgrounds into something of their own. What started with informal jam sessions and songwriting eventually developed into a collective sound shaped by a wide range of influences, including Coldplay, Kings of Leon, Switchfoot, The Beatles, U2, and Michael Jackson.
That diversity can be heard throughout their music, where infectious melodies meet layered instrumentation and atmospheric production. Their debut single, “Headlights,” arrived on Valentine’s Day 2025 and quickly gained traction, eventually surpassing 23 million global streams before continuing its climb. The band followed that momentum with their debut EP, Snow Day, released through Big Loud Rock, further introducing listeners to their ability to move between expansive alternative pop and more intimate emotional moments.
With “Never Let Go,” In Color continue demonstrating that their appeal extends beyond catchy hooks and impressive production. There’s an emotional honesty beneath the polished sound, giving their music a sense of depth that makes it resonate long after the final notes fade. As their profile continues to grow, the band is proving that alternative pop can be both sonically ambitious and deeply personal.
Leave a Reply