FOND Channels Emo, Punk, and Alt-Rock on Their Infectious New EPWe Can Hang Proves FOND Are a Band to Watch in 2026
Summer time usually means nice weather, windows down, playing outside, no school, etc. Usually, a good indicator for the start of summer is a new music release that gives off the vibe of summer. FOND luckily provides that with their new EP, We Can Hang.
FOND is a newer four-piece out of Virginia that has released singles and an EP since 2024. The group has consistently been putting out new music, and 2026 is no different. Previously, they released two singles, “No One Can Laugh” and “Loserville”. This ultimately led to the release of their newest EP, We Can Hang. Clocking in at four songs and just under ten minutes, the EP does a great job of taking their musical inspirations and making fun songs to jam out to.
“Loserville” kicks things off, and right away, the vocals and instrumentals reminded me of The Promise Ring and other 90s emo acts. The band cites the Blue Album era of Weezer as an influence, and you can hear this in the rhythm and vocal inflections. As an intro, this track effectively hooks the listener with its catchiness. The group incorporates fun guitar parts to keep the song varied and prevent monotony. The energetic ending would sound fantastic live, with crowds jamming out to the final instrumental breakdown. Strong instrumentation closes out the track.
Pacing picks up to levels one may not expect if it’s your first time with FOND. The alt-rock/emo feel of “Loserville” gives way to a more punk sound when “Peregrine” begins. The momentum builds immediately and doesn’t let up. Placing it after “Loserville” is a rad move, showing the band’s range while getting the listener’s adrenaline up for the rest of the EP. “Peregrine” is a fun song about not wanting to waste time and preferring to be with people who understand you.
“No One Can Laugh” keeps things going now, punching in with a punk sound akin to Drug Church. The mixing on this track works perfectly with the instrumentals and how punchy they are. The drums especially punch hard on this song and complement the strong chord strikes during the minor pauses throughout. FOND does a great job of making sure each section of the band complements the others and lifts them up in this song.
The last track on this EP is “Find Out”. It sounds like a closer in the best way possible. There’s a section in the middle of the song where you hear the vocals “please make me feel alive” as the song continues to build itself up. Great guitar in the second half of the song, and the pounding and weight of the rest of the band allow this song to be the perfect closer for this EP. It does what a closer should do: it wraps up everything you had heard previously in one neat bow. By the end of it, I’m extremely satisfied and excited to restart the EP.
FOND may be a younger band, but that doesn’t mean anything. We Can Hang shows great promise for the group as they continue on. Plenty of punchy hooks and catchiness fill out the entire release, creating something awesome in the end. If you’re looking for a fun release to head into summer with, this is easily a top contender!
