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

Tiffany Day’s HALO TOUR Is Everything We Ever Wanted: Concert Review

Tiffany Day’s HALO TOUR Is Everything We Ever Wanted: Concert Review

September 19, 2026 From covering her on our blog in 2020, interviewing her in 2021, and naming her one of OnesToWatch’s “Top 30 Artists to Watch in 2026,” Tiffany Day proved that exactly where she’s meant to be, and that everyone should be watching.
Author: Nicole Oshima
pop
Tender Misfit Will Sell Your Soul (And You'll Thank Her For It)

Tender Misfit Will Sell Your Soul (And You'll Thank Her For It)

September 18, 2026 Wherever Tender Misfit goes next, the next single, the next tour stop, the next sold-out room full of people chanting her lyrics back at her, it's safe to say people will be there for it.
Author: Matt Keenan
pop
Valley Announces New Album 'Do You Need To Be Entertained?' [Q&A]

Valley Announces New Album 'Do You Need To Be Entertained?' [Q&A]

September 18, 2026 About a month ago, we had the opportunity to chat with Valley frontman Rob Laska about the new album, finding fun again, their partnership with Chase Lawrence, cows, covers, life on the road, and what it means to make something deeply personal knowing it might simply be the soundtrack of someone’s drive to work.
Author: Chancey Stefanos