Hawthorne Heights releases new single “Like a Cardinal”

Dayton, Ohio emo veterans Hawthorne Heights have made a return with a new single “Like a Cardinal”. Their last full-length, “The Rain Just Follows Me,” came out in 2021 via Pure Noise Records.

Hawthorne Heights debuted “Like a Cardinal” live during their ongoing “If Only You Were Lonely” 20th Anniversary Tour, which sees them performing that 2006 Gold-certified album in full. The record peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Independent Albums chart. Frontman JT Woodruff told fans at several shows that the new track could stand alongside classics like “Ohio Is for Lovers.”

Beyond the current US leg, the tour also extends to Japan, Australia, Southeast Asia, and the UK and Europe later in 2026. Festival appearances at Slam Dunk and Vans Warped Tour also feature on the schedule. “Like a Cardinal” streams now on all major platforms.

The band recorded the track at their own studio, A Nightmare on North Elm Street. The band described the session as a focused effort to prove they still had creative drive.