If you’ve ever been ghosted, gaslit, or guilted into carrying emotional baggage that isn’t yours, Wally Hoak’s latest single, “Time & Space,” might just be your new personal anthem. This Santo Domingo-born pop artist has a knack for channeling introspection into music that hits both the heart and the hips, and with this track, he’s taking a bold stand: boundaries are sexy, and self-respect is non-negotiable.
Wally Hoak doesn’t just sing about needing space—he makes you feel it. From the first few beats of “Time & Space,” the production feels like a sonic exhale. Atmospheric synths ripple like distant waves, while a punchy bassline keeps things grounded. It’s an intoxicating blend of introspection and groove, delivering a message that’s as cathartic as it is catchy.
The song was born during the isolation-fueled haze of 2020, and you can hear that solitude woven into its DNA. Hoak’s lyrics are a study in clarity: sharp, unfiltered, and laced with just the right amount of venom. “Cold-headed thought you’d be better, but people never change, at least you never changed,” he croons. It’s the kind of line that makes you pause, replay, and think about everyone who’s ever done you dirty.
The brilliance lies in how universal it feels—whether you’re cutting ties with a toxic ex, an unreliable friend, or anyone who’s overstayed their welcome in your life. Hoak’s vocal delivery is both intimate and unapologetic. There’s a vulnerability in his tone, but it’s matched by an underlying strength that says, I’m done making excuses for you.
Influences like The Weeknd and Dua Lipa are apparent, but Hoak’s voice remains distinctly his own—smooth, raw, and laced with an edge that leaves a lasting impression.
As for the production, it’s a masterclass in restraint. Hoak builds a soundscape that feels expansive but never overwhelming, leaving room for his lyrics to breathe. Each beat feels intentional, a reflection of the song’s message about setting boundaries and reclaiming agency.
“Time & Space” is more than just a pop song; it’s a wake-up call wrapped in a late-night anthem. It’s a reminder that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is walk away, no matter how tempting it is to stay. Wally Hoak has given us the perfect soundtrack for cutting ties, claiming our independence, and embracing the power of saying, enough.
This track isn’t just a statement—it’s a promise. If “Time & Space” is any indication, Wally Hoak isn’t just making music. He’s building a movement for anyone ready to shed the weight of the past and move boldly into the future.
So turn it up, let the bass vibrate through your chest, and get ready to set yourself free. Wally Hoak just handed you the key.
Your journey from Santo Domingo to the U.S. has clearly influenced your music. How has that duality shaped your sound and the stories you tell through your songs?
Even before coming to the US, majority of the music I would listen to was in english, to learn more and also I was very young when I moved here so I didn't have many stories to tell, but the duality has allowed me to be able to write songs in both english and spanish. I know a lot of different genres and sayings that I have somehow incorporated into my music, mostly into the lyrics. I do have a lot of songs in Spanish that will come in the future and people will be able to see that side of me.
“Time & Space” feels deeply personal and universal at the same time. When did you know this song was ready to share with the world, and what do you hope listeners take away from it?
I wanted this out for years. Most of the time the songs come to me out of nowhere and the first thing that comes to mind is what ends up being in the final product when it comes to the lyrics. This song was one of those. I wrote and produced it back in 2020 during the pandemic at a time when I was getting a lot of time and space from people in general, and back then I knew this song was ready to share with the world.
I hope that people take away from this song that people never change. It is sad, but this is the reality. The idea for this song came from someone I knew, who had so much baggage and it would be the type of person that would drain you emotionally. I had to put a stop to communicating with this person because I wasn't going to carry that weight. We were nothing, so I didn't have to. I could comply and be the good listener but it all comes to a point. A breaking point. I want people to express that. Be honest and say you want your time and space because nothing is more important than that.
You started writing music at 13 and later studied at the Institute for Audio Research. How has your relationship with music evolved from those early days to now?
It has evolved 10000% and I have evolved 1000000%. Music comes so easy to me and being able to translate it into the real world is so amazing. I am a one-man-army, so I wear all the hats. I write, produce, engineer, mix, master, edit photos, videos, EVERYTHING!!, and it is very hard, but it's so rewarding at the same time. I love music more and more everyday. This is the thing that makes me happy. Being a perfectionist makes me stay behind most of the time but I'm determined to make it out here and my love for music is what's going to take me where I want to be.
Your lyrics in “Time & Space” highlight themes of self-awareness and boundaries. How do those ideas reflect your growth as a person and an artist?
I'm very self-aware. I think self-awareness is one of the most valuable abilities we can possess, but not everybody has that ability and that's so shocking to me. Self-awareness has helped me really grow so much because the worst lie you can tell and the lies you tell yourself. This is why I work and work on my music to try and perfect it because I know when it's bad and I know when it's good, and with that comes the boundaries. It is so important to set boundaries on everything and with everyone. People take and take as long as you give, but when you set boundaries then things stop. I'm very direct and very real and I set boundaries, I don't care if that makes me the bad guy but that's just life.
After the release of “Time & Space,” what’s next for you? Are there any dream collaborations or creative experiments you’re excited to dive into?
After "Time & Space" I have a song called "Filter" coming next month and after that I have another song called "Breaking Down" coming the following one. I have so many things in the works that I need to finish. I also have many songs in Spanish that I want to put out so badly. Also I want to put out an EP. One of my dream collaborations would be Tate McRae. I love her music and style. Also Halsey, I love her songwriting.