Zach Stephenson is stepping away from the familiar world of Hockey Dad for his first solo release, and “In N Out” immediately makes it clear that this project is going to show a different side of the Australian musician.
Released in September 2026, “In N Out” is the first preview of Stephenson’s upcoming solo album I Needed To Hear Me Say It, which is scheduled for October 30. While Hockey Dad have built their reputation around energetic surf rock and loud guitar-driven songs, Stephenson takes a more reflective approach here.
The track began with a repeating bass line that Stephenson used as a way to work through difficult moments. That starting point is important because the song feels less concerned with making a huge first impression and more interested in creating a particular state of mind.
There is something almost hypnotic about the repetition. Instead of constantly adding new ideas, the song allows its central rhythm to remain present while the rest of the arrangement develops around it. That gives “In N Out” a steady quality that matches its subject matter.
Stephenson's vocal performance is also noticeably more restrained than what longtime Hockey Dad listeners might expect. There is less of the youthful rush associated with the duo and more space for the words to sit inside the production.
That change works well. A song about trying to deal with anxiety does not necessarily need to sound frantic. In fact, the calmer approach makes “In N Out” feel more believable. The track sounds like someone trying to slow things down rather than someone pretending everything is fine.
The production is another reason the song works. The bass line gives the track its foundation, while the other elements are allowed to move around it without taking over. There is enough texture to keep the arrangement interesting, but Stephenson does not bury the main idea under layers of unnecessary production.
What makes the song particularly interesting is how different it feels from the musical identity that Stephenson has already established with Hockey Dad. He is not completely abandoning the instincts that made that project successful, but he is clearly giving himself permission to move at a different pace.
That is usually one of the biggest challenges of a solo project. An artist can easily end up making music that sounds like a slightly altered version of their main band. “In N Out” avoids that problem by starting from a more personal place.
The song is not built around a massive chorus or a flashy instrumental moment. Its strength comes from the mood it creates and the way the repeated musical ideas reinforce the feeling behind the song.
There is also something refreshing about how uncomplicated the track feels. Modern production can sometimes become so focused on adding details that the original emotion gets lost. Here, the central idea remains easy to hear.
For listeners discovering Stephenson outside Hockey Dad, “In N Out” works as an introduction to an artist who seems interested in slowing down and exploring a more vulnerable side of his songwriting. For Hockey Dad fans, it offers a chance to hear what happens when Stephenson is no longer working inside the boundaries of the duo.
The song does have one limitation. Because it is so focused on atmosphere and repetition, some listeners may want more variation as it develops. The restrained approach is part of its appeal, but it also means the track is unlikely to satisfy anyone looking for a huge rock payoff.
That said, the simplicity feels intentional rather than unfinished. “In N Out” sounds like the beginning of a conversation rather than the final statement of what Stephenson's solo career will become.
The upcoming album I Needed To Hear Me Say It should provide a much clearer picture of where he wants to take this sound. If the rest of the record follows the direction established here, it could be a significant change of pace from his work with Hockey Dad.
For now, “In N Out” succeeds because it does not try too hard. It takes a simple musical idea and uses it to explore something personal. The result is understated, honest and different enough to make Stephenson's solo debut worth paying attention to.
Rating: 8/10