Pop Provocateur Nick Hissom Goes Unapologetic on Latest EP Hot Boy Things
- Rainbow_Rocks
- September 12, 2026
- Entertainment
- #ColumbusOhio, #DanceMusic, #HotBoyThings, #IndiePop, #MusicNews, #NewMusic2026, #NickHissom, #PopMusic, #PopProvocateur, #QueerArtists, #QueerPop, LGBTQIA+
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Written and Photographed by LGBTQIA+ Independent News Reporter — Kyle Williams — Rainbow Rocks — RainbowRocks.space — September 12th, 2026
Nick Hissom—also known by his moniker Hizzy—is stepping fully into his boldest and most uncompromised era yet with his five-track project, Hot Boy Things. Blending early-2000s pop nostalgia, European dance-club production, and sharp, brutally candid songwriting, the release marks a significant milestone for the artist. Born from the immediate and often messy aftermath of a highly publicized public breakup, the record represents far more than standard heartbreak; it serves as a triumphant reintroduction of an openly gay artist operating entirely without societal or relationship constraints.
Describing his signature sonic philosophy as “classy, with a little yeehaw,” Hissom draws heavily on childhood influences rooted in the grand spectacle of artists like Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, and Daft Punk. Across the new EP, that distinct vision comes to life through pulsing synthesizers, driving club drums, breathy vocal deliveries, and an ambitious visual identity that positions him as a full-scale pop performer.
The title track, “Hot Boy Things,” sits squarely at the conceptual center of the project. Blending Europop textures with US R&B rhythms, the song tackles dating, desire, and personal transformation. Its high-energy release is matched by an eye-catching visual featuring hip-hop-inspired styling and chair choreography. Meanwhile, tracks like “Sexify” lean into provocative territory, utilizing club-ready beats reminiscent of classic Euro-dance anthems to address and subvert double standards surrounding gay sexuality and media scrutiny.
Balancing the high-energy club numbers are moments of genuine vulnerability. The self-penned track “Amazing” strips back the production to highlight Hissom’s softer singer-songwriter side, offering a dreamy, ethereal contrast to the record’s bolder moments. Closing out the journey, “Dangerous (Get Locked)” brings the EP back down to earth with a defiant, autobiographical look at navigating ambition and public scrutiny.
Ultimately, Hot Boy Things captures an artist transforming personal upheaval into liberation. By reclaiming his narrative and leaning into unmitigated pop theatricality, Hissom delivers a project that proves he is entirely uninterested in playing it safe.
For a closer look at the aesthetic world surrounding the project:
