Heartwells have today released their new EP titled ‘Ollie’ via Hey!Fever Records. Starting with that ‘holy shit’ type of start to an EP, or set of songs, the adreneline gets mixed with gasoline and only amps up from there. Featuring six tracks of old school, not even a box of Dramamine could stop that feeling in your stomach from festering during that initial listen, but would you want it to anyway?
While the tracks all have that classic feel around the edges, there is nothing but future classic permeating throughout, while you realize that this is something new. Something different, original, and meant for that part of you filled with a mix of anger and blaise.
This is melody with mutiny.
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About Heartwells
Packed with raw emotion, tight musicianship, and skatepunk energy, Ollie is the band’s most personal and fully realized release to date.
“This record is extremely sentimental and personal to me,” says Heartwells’ JT, who wrote what he calls “probably the saddest song I’ve ever written” about his father. “We feel we’ve come a long way since our last release. The chemistry and dynamics of the band shine on this EP—it feels like a full-length record in just six songs.”
Following up on their fan-favorite The New Old School, the band put everything on the table to push themselves further. Two songs were written in the studio on the spot, with band members creating their parts without hearing the songs beforehand—an approach that was “both exciting and stressful,” according to JT.
Recorded at Buzzbomb Studios in Orange, CA, with longtime producer Paul Miner, the EP benefits from a collaborative energy and veteran production touch. “Paul has been our guiding light from the start,” JT says. “He stepped up as a producer on this one, helping bring out the full potential of every song.” The EP was mastered by Chris Hesse of Hoobastank, giving Ollie its polished yet punchy final sound.
The title Ollie is a nod to both the band’s skatepunk roots and the adorable dog featured on the cover—Moki’s pup, Ollie. It’s a playful visual for a record that dives deep into themes of personal struggle, fractured relationships, family dynamics, and social unrest. “It’s a pretty dark record,” JT explains, “but it has a lot of bright energy. I figured putting a cute dog on the cover would balance it out.”
With its mix of urgency, honesty, and melodic grit, Ollie marks a major leap forward for Heartwells—and the band isn’t slowing down.
