After releasing several singles leading up to ‘boom,’ up-and-coming country singer-songwriter Walker Hayes drops “Halloween,” featuring Nicolle Galyon. 

Walker Hayes is not your household name…yet. Nonetheless, the 37-year-old country singer/songwriter has experienced moderate success.  Perhaps his sophomore album (first of note), boom., will give him booming success. After releasing several singles in advance of boom., including the moderately successful “You Broke Up with Me,” he drops “Halloween,” featuring Nicolle Galyon. 

“Halloween” commences with an infectious groove.  Adding to the goodness of the hard-hitting groove is whistling, that’s just ‘cool’ AF.  Adding to the coolness of Hayes is his quasi-rapping on the verses.  He’s rhythmic and while you might not say he has ‘bars’ per se, this approach is definitely interesting and intriguing if nothing else.

“Before I even learned to play a note, I was on stage / Mastering the art of selling myself at a young age / Fear and insecurity drove me like a Maserati / High school was like showing up at a costume party.”

The chorus is performed by Nicolle Galyon.  Think of it as a rap song – she’s the ‘urban contemporary’ singer.

“Halloween ended / To all the people I pretended to be / Rest in peace, rest in peace, rest in peace.”

To his credit, Hayes sings on the bridge section, and later combines forces with Galyon.

Final Thoughts

Once more, Walker Hayes gives fans a lot to look forward to on boom.  He’s one cool son of a gun. “Halloween” won’t appeal to a more traditional country fan base, but the kids will love it.  Why? Again, Hayes is one cool son of a gun.  BOOM!

Walker Hayes • boom. • Monument / Sony • Release: 12.8.17

Photo Credits: Monument / Sony