The Penguin Rocks logo
The Penguin Rocks Menu



 

Crooked Teeth Releases “Hallelujah (Wish I Never Knew Ya)”

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 08/27/2021


California based alternative pop artist Crooked Teeth has released the music video for his recent single titled “Hallelujah (Wish I Never Knew Ya).” The undeniable alt-pop anthem, resembles a beautiful collision of self-titled era blink-182 and The Chainsmokers. The new single was produced and mixed by Matt Malpass (Machine Gun Kelly, trippie redd, blink-182).

On the new single he shares, "Hallelujah (Wish I Never Knew Ya)" is a song about liberating one's self from the emotional baggage that comes with let downs, heartbreak and the internal struggle to find inner peace."

Even though he trades in energetic, best-when-played-loud pop-rock, CROOKED TEETH frontman Tyson Evans has learned that sometimes it’s best to let silence lead the way.

“I started making the drive from Santa Cruz down to LA to write songs last year,” Evans says. “I loved driving because it let me be in my head and block out the noise. I wouldn’t even listen to a podcast or music. I’d just sit in silence with myself and come to peace with things in life.”

There’s seemingly no shortage of things to think over in today’s modern world, and since forming in 2016 (first as a full band and later morphing into a solo project), Crooked Teeth has mused on many of them – with his heart fully on his sleeve, packaging emotional heft and life’s big challenges into shiny, anthemic emo-tinged songs.




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



A back catalog including 2018’s Rude Records debut Honey, 2019’s Where Did All Our Time Go?, and self-released singles like “Plight” and “Light Me Up” (written with Four Year Strong’s Alan Day) have garnered multiple millions of Spotify streams, and fans across the country have seen Evans making noise – and a name for himself – on Audiotree as well as stages with This Wild Life, Emo Nite LA, Hot Mulligan, and Grayscale.

Now, with his brand-new single, “Hallelujah (Wish I Never Knew Ya),” Crooked Teeth is entering his most fully realized musical era yet. Combining the percussive buoyancy of blink-182’s heyday with the spirit of classic emo and elastic, modern production, “Hallelujah (Wish I Never Knew Ya)” is a skyscraping slice of pop that tackles a well-trod lyrical road – but with far more maturity than many of the genre’s torchbearers were known for.

“It’s about letting go, finally being able to move past the negativity of a failed relationship,” he says of the track. “It’s not rooted in malice. Sometimes you just need to finally be at peace and clean the cobwebs out. As a queer, cis man, I don’t want to spend time or energy tearing people down. I always want to find a way to be self-reflective.”

It’s a welcome detour in a scene known for its fair share of vindictive one-liners, as Evans instead mines a similar emotional depth and nuance – not to mention sonic diversity – found on some of his favorite albums, seminal early 2000s releases like American Idiot and Bleed American. “I believe in a cohesive feel and consistent rock sound,” he begins. “But I don’t want to be held back by what people expect.”

That extends to both Crooked Teeth’s listeners and collaborators. Finally finding the freedom to chase his muse has been one of the most rewarding parts of downsizing the band – but it’s also one Evans admits at first came with a fair amount of trepidation.

“I was really scared to do it myself and say ‘this is what Crooked Teeth is,’” he explains. “But every day I feel more and more excited. I always feel insecure about physical stuff, even something like walking straight. The only time I really feel comfortable being totally active and secure in my footing is when I’m onstage playing music. This just feels right.”




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info




 

COLUMNS


BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 8/10/26

Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Des & the Swagmatics, Bamberdost, Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves, Jonny Couch, Sean Henry Tonight!, and Ava LaMonte. Plus a look back at "Duluth" by Particle Zoo.




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Soaked" by Kiaura Rose




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 08/06/2026




This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from August 4-10, 2026






 

MORE NEWS

(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of Patriot Day, the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will host "The Soundtrack of Resilience: Music and 9/11" on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The event begins at 2:00pm.


Albert Music Hall presents Pineystock on Sunday




"Amazing!" Bruce Hornsby LIVE! at Ocean City Music Pier




The Vogel presents Early Elton Trio on Saturday




Scottish Rite Auditorium presents Hot Tuna on Friday






 

UPCOMING SHOWS


2026-27 Season Preview: Split Level Concerts at Jersey Shore Arts Center

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Split Level Concerts at the Jersey Shore Arts Center (JSAC) in Ocean Grove has announced the full concert lineup for its third season. All shows will take place beginning at 8:00pm in JSAC's Palaia Theater. The season lineup includes Willie Nile, John Gorka, Dan Bern, Catie Curtis and Band, Stephen Kellogg, Abbie Gardner, Heather Maloney and Band, and Kim Richey. As they have done in prior years, artists from the Asbury Park music scene will open many of the shows.


McCarter Theatre Center presents Mei Semones on September 4th




51st NJ Clearwater Festival to Take Place Labor Day Weekend in Asbury Park




The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Newton Theatre on September 5th






Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info




The Penguin Rocks

© 2026 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
[email protected]

Presented by New Jersey Stage

Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and our NJ Stage accounts on Instagram, and Threads


News | Features | Radio Shows | Penguin's Hall of Fame | Song of the Week | BlowUpRadio column

Contact Us | About Us | Submit Music | Ad Rates