Indie Duo HOAX Sheds Light on the Looked Over "Unamerican Dream" of Struggling Immigrants

image

Although many attribute the Statue of Liberty and Central Park to New York's cultural relevance, we here at Ones To Watch have a special place in our hearts for Queens' rising alt-pop duo, HOAX. Comprised of Michael Raj and Frantz Cesar, HOAX describes their modern vintage sound as "empathy pop" and crafts music that explores the human condition, social constructs, and important life decisions. Ahead of their forthcoming album, b?, HOAX is shedding light on the looked over "Unamerican Dream" of immigrants and the issues they face daily.

Whereas their previous, "Could," mainly focuses on the concept of being, "Unamerican Dream" shares a touching narrative surrounding an immigrant father who once fell under the spell of envisioning a modest house with a white picket fence. Once he realizes that this is just a daydream, the father finally understands the precious moments he missed out on for the sake of achieving the unrealistic American Dream.

Both talented members of HOAX are first-generation Americans so they reflected on their parents' life experiences through storytelling and photographs that partially inspired the guitar-driven "Unamerican Dream." HOAX has shared that they will be donating 50% of royalties from this inspiring track to KIND (Kids In Need of Defense), an organization that seeks to legally protect immigrant children who entered the United States unaccompanied.

On "Unamerican Dream," HOAX shared,

"A stipulant of this so-called 'American Dream' that our parents sought after is the supposed eventuality of getting what you want if you simply work hard enough, but what lies in the subcontext is everything you must be willing to give up. Every hour at the office is an hour away from your family and loved ones; if you are working a tedious or mindless job that you are not passionate about for the sake of money, that is taking time away from finding fulfillment in something you might actually care for. The 'American Dream' sounds wholesome and inspiring, but with the current social and political climate of our country, it almost feels more like a cruel joke than the inspiring ideal it was initially created to be."

Reevaluate your life with HOAX's "Unamerican Dream" below:

Related Articles

Amira Elfeky Gets Caught Between Love and Self-Preservation on ‘It Was Only A Dream’

Amira Elfeky Gets Caught Between Love and Self-Preservation on ‘It Was Only A Dream’

November 14, 2026 Across 12 tracks, the rising alternative artist moves between shoegaze, metal, alternative rock, and pop, examining the messier sides of love while questioning what remains when those relationships begin to fall apart.
Author: Alessandra Rincon
pop
mazie Finds Religion In Love On New Single ‘Heaven Is Your Lips’

mazie Finds Religion In Love On New Single ‘Heaven Is Your Lips’

November 13, 2026 mazie lays it all out from the very start of the song, declaring, “Heaven is your lips on mine” over some angelic chimes that bring to mind classic Cyndi Lauper — or an After Hours-era The Weeknd.
Author: India McCarty
pop
Drive Down A Highway, Turn On 'Take A Video' And Introduce Yourself To Olivia C. Dacal [Q&A]

Drive Down A Highway, Turn On 'Take A Video' And Introduce Yourself To Olivia C. Dacal [Q&A]

November 13, 2026 Settled into her grandmother's home, it was a joy to catch up with Olivia to talk inspirations, freedom, vulnerability and the night walks that shape her sound.
Author: Rosie Leishman
EP