Premiere: Last Vacation Inject Feeling & Energy into “How Could You Hurt Somebody You Love?”

Last Vacation © Kristin Otharsson
Last Vacation © Kristin Otharsson
Last Vacation’s latest single, “How Could You Hurt Somebody You Love?,” is the kind of sad pop song that never goes out of style.
“How Could You Hurt Somebody You Love?” – Last Vacation
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Being in relationship with someone means hard times and good times will continually coexist: disappointment and joy, anger and forgiveness, deep hurt and deep love. In the more difficult moments, it often comes down to holding onto anger or letting it go, which is precisely the decision Boston-based band Last Vacation reflect on in their newest single, “How Could You Hurt Somebody You Love?,” the kind of sad pop song that never goes out of style.

How Could You Hurt Somebody You Love - Last Vacation
How Could You Hurt Somebody You Love – Last Vacation
How could you hurt somebody you love?
How could you hurt somebody you love
You try, you just now let it go
You try, you just now let it go

Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering Last Vacation’s latest single, “How Could You Hurt Somebody You Love?,” out on all streaming platforms April 17, 2020. For almost a year, the four-piece has been building up a discography of anthemic, ‘80s – ‘90s inspired indie pop singles, the first of which, “Neon Home,” premiered right here on Atwood Magazine last spring; “HCYHSYL?” (for short) is a welcome continuation of the trend.

Up-tempo and full of feeling, Last Vacation songs feel worthy of movie soundtracks and late night car rides, with guitar tones that inevitably evoke a sense of nostalgia. “HCYHSYL?” is no different, opening up with driving drums and synth that gives the song a cinematic spaciousness. Within that space is an understated desperation in lead singer Travis Rutzel’s voice, admitting that even though times are hard and hurt is prevalent, “I just want you to stay.”

Open up, let it in
Feel how it makes you spin
Time was hard today
I just want you to stay
Last Vacation © Kristin Otharsson
Last Vacation © Kristin Otharsson



“Lyrically, I think “HCYHSYL?” is vulnerable and calls attention to that feeling of disappointment you can sense in yourself or another during a relationship,” drummer Scott Anderson says of the song. “For listeners, I’m hoping they can feel empowerment in these words or find a new piece of self-reflection.” As the song continues, that self-reflection takes hold and Last Vacation finds their way into a push and pull of uncertainty, remembering “December drinking in the dark,” and wavering over whether to give into reliving the past or not. In the end though, the door closes on nostalgia and they let it go, all the while making us want to dance right through the duration.

You want to re-live
I can’t let you in
You want to re-live
I can’t let you in

Though nearly a year has gone by since the initial excitement of debut single “Neon Home,” Last Vacation have brilliantly ridden the wave of time with one infectious song after another, showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. Stream their latest, “How Could You Hurt Somebody You Love?,” today, exclusively on Atwood Magazine!

“How Could You Hurt Somebody You Love?” – Last Vacation
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How Could You Hurt Somebody You Love - Last Vacation

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? © Kristin Otharsson

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