Xdinary Heroes continue to blow us away with every release, and they just set the bar even higher with the release of their 9th mini-album: IMPULSE. Taking on an intricate concept, creating a natural progression from their previous 2026 release, DEAD AND, and pushing the boundaries of their sound, Xdinary Heroes might have created one of their best records to date. Here’s why every single track is so special!
‘Obsessed With Youth’
Of course, we need to first and foremost, shed a light on the title track. ‘Obsessed with Youth’ comes right after ‘Voyager,’ and complements this title track flawlessly. Xdinary Heroes expand on this play with synths and rock, and push the sound even further with ‘Obsessed with Youth.’ It emanates a youthful feeling, yes, with hints of a coming-of-age energy, with all the nostalgia and hope it entails. By giving us explosive vocals, powerful melodies, and an addictive instrumental, this song feels all-encompassing and is the perfect transition between DEAD AND and the world of IMPULSE.
IMPULSE
‘Obsessed with you’ feels like the perfect progression into this new era and the introduction to the world of IMPULSE. While DEAD AND already had so many facets and sides, IMPULSE is filled with songs that feel like a world in themselves, and each one makes way for a masterpiece that is impossible not to play on loop.
‘Give Up The Ghost’
Ever since the tracklist for Impulse was released, ‘Give Up The Ghost’ caught our eye as the song we couldn’t wait to listen to, and it absolutely didn’t disappoint. With the masterminds of Zakk Cervini, Oli Sykes, and Dan Lancaster, and the power and aura that Xdinary Heroes bring to all their songs, there was no way ‘Give Up The Ghost’ wouldn’t earn a spot as one of the best songs of 2026. If you were as obsessed with Bring Me The Horizon‘s That’s The Spirit as we were, this is the song for you. It is one of the few songs that manage to replicate that feeling and make it even more grandiose. It has that anthemic, grand, chills-inducing feel, adding desperation and rawness as they beg someone they care about to stay. ‘Give Up The Ghost’ is not only a perfect Xdinary Heroes song, but it is simply a perfect rock song.
‘Slashhh!’
When we got the chance to talk to Xdinary Heroes before the release of Impulse, ‘Slashhh!’ was one that they kept mentioning, and the hype lived up to it. This is the band’s first time trying EDM, and it makes an instant standout. The way Xdinary Heroes incorporated the EDM sound into their rock sound is unapologetically witty and fun. They created something new and refreshing with ‘Slashhh!,’ proving just how much they’re willing to push the boundaries and we’re far from having seen everything they have to offer.
‘u and me in arguments’
In any Xdinary Heroes release, we need a truly gritty song, and that dips more than its toes into hard rock while incorporating pop elements flawlessly, and that’s exactly what we get with ‘u and me in arguments.’ It’s one of the instances where the instrumental and the sound bleed directly into the meaning of the track, as this harsher sound represents the tumultuous and aggressive love they sing about. The highlight of the song, and one of the standout moments in Impulse, is by far the bridge with a screamo moment, followed by a gorgeous and striking high note from Jungsu. It’s Xdinary Heroes excellence right there.
‘You Right There’
The chorus of ‘You Right There’ has to go down as one of the best ones Xdinary Heroes has given us. It’s catchy, satisfyingly natural, and makes you reach for this impressive pop-rock banger over and over again. In between songs that feel harsher and darker, it serves as a light within Impulse.
‘Love In Dystopia’
From this all-consuming love song, Xdinary Heroes go into ‘Love in Dystopia,’ a masterpiece for its concept and lyrics. It shows the best sides of the band’s songwriting, as they take on the complexity of relationships and translate it into the idea of dystopia: something that should be good but is quite the contrary, something you end up wanting to escape.
‘Breathe in, Breathe out’
To wrap up this beyond impressive mini-album, Xdinary Heroes took the formula of a slow song and, with it, did something unique and different in ‘Breathe in, Breathe out.’ The build-up is unbelievably beautiful and gripping. The production, along with the melodies, makes ‘Breathe in, Breathe out’ such a standout and a perfect closing track, as it builds into something so dramatic and grandiose. Ending a mini-album as perfect and varied as Impulse is no easy fit but ‘Breathe in, breathe out’ holds everything that makes us reach for Xdinary Heroes’ music over and over again.
To dip more into the world of IMPULSE, you can check out the interview we had with Xdinary Heroes before the release here!
What’s your favorite song in IMPULSE? Is this your new favorite release by Xdinary Heroes? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.
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