Just as 2023 begins there’s a chance to set a new goal and let go of the old habits, or in this case, reconsider a current relationship. New York based indie-pop singer and songwriter Cade Hoppe is starting 2023 off with the release of his new single, “Labels”.

The once NYU Finance major and basketball player has been creating a name for him himself through his music. Since 2021 with the release of his debut EP, Tell Me How It’s Worth It, Hoppe continues to dive into the indie music scene.

The 23 year-old singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist continues his musical journey with his collaborator and co-producer Harper James who has worked with the likes of James Bay and Aaron Taos.

Now with his new single “Labels,” Hoppe is sharing a deeper side of himself.

“This is a song about having a relationship with someone that will never give you the reassurance you need — and then finding a way to justify that in order to have that relationship at all,” Hoppe says. “You keep telling yourself that you don’t need a label until you might believe it.”

The current trend of hit releases has embraced synthesized sound, just listen to “Oh Caroline” by The 1975. With “Labels”, it sounds like Hoppe is experimenting with this nostalgic synthesized sound.

Imagine the opening to an 80’s teen movie and that would be how “ Labels” feels.

The dreamy and upbeat sound of the song resembles what George Michae would sound like if modernized and indie.

From the build-up of the bridges to the vocals echoing, the song balances both a fun pop sound and melancholy, but it's the contrast of the song's lyricism that also grabs listeners' attention.

“Labels” ask the question we all ask ourself during a complicated or rocky relationship, and that is, “Do we need a label?”

His lyrics beautifully illustrate the complexity and naivety of finding love. Lyrics such as “Counting days, staying up late” remind us of the stressful mind games of relationships that keep us up at night. Listeners will easily find a way to connect the song to a situation in their own life.

Cade Hoppe’s “Labels” is available on all streaming platforms now.