Haley Heynderickx Moving New Album

   Published Jan 5, 2026

Ayla Mager

Cub Reporter

“What of Our Nature” was released on Nov. 21, 2025 by Portland artist Haley Heynderickx and artist Max García Conover. The album was made with inspiration from the singer, songwriter and activist, Woody Guthrie. The album was striking and moving.

“What of Our Nature” tells a story of world problems today like poverty, injustice, capitalism and artificial society. These messages are accompanied by acoustic guitar and raspy vocals. The 32 minutes of the ten songs are conceptual, rhythmic, cohesive, tender and poetic. 

The purpose of the album is to inspire others, commenting on real issues and the ways they’ve affected people. The hope of the artists is to spark inspiration in listeners, motivating them to create their own pieces or to do something about the issues within our world today. 

Guthrie was an activist who sang songs under the country and folk genre. He wrote hundreds of songs around American socialism and anti-fascism. He traveled from place to place singing his songs and sharing his opinions. 

It is obvious that this album was inspired by Guthrie and his work. From the instrumentals and tunes to the lyrical choices and messages, the album does a great job at bringing back Guthrie’s vibes and intentions. 

Heynderickx is a Filipino-American. She uses her culture and experiences to navigate her writing process. Conover’s writing is driven by personal and political experiences.

The songs do a good job at blending together, with vocals shifting from Conover to Heynderickx, up-beat to slow instrumentals and blunt words to ones with undertones. These shifts of style blend together to form a unique and pleasing music experience. 

The two artists’ voices harmonize together like subtle strums of a guitar, flowing together beautifully and sweetly. Their songs are calm and raw, creating a soul-stirring experience for listeners.

My preference leans towards Heynderickx’s vocals. Her voice has a way of flooding your ears every time she shifts octaves. It pulls you in and makes you stay for another song. 

The album is a soothing listening experience for people who enjoy acoustic guitar and lilting, genuine vocals. The songs display powerful messages and provoke deep emotion that everyone deserves to experience. 

“What of Our Nature” has become a recurring listen for me, along with Heynderickx’s other albums “Seed of a Seed,” “I Need to Start a Garden,” and “Among Horses III.”