DoFlame

Last year Toronto hardcore up-and-comer, DoFlame, released his sophomore album, BENT, on his new label Blue Grape Music (GEL, Code Orange, Spiritual Cramp), and in 2025 he's showing no signs of slowing down. Today DoFlame mastermind Mateo Naranjo is sharing the project's most exhilarating music yet, the fiery new single "Drunk Talk."

On BENT Naranjo effectively blended the unbridled aggression of heavy music with the swagger of hip hop, and "Drunk Talk" boldly pushes further into his rap influences without sacrificing an ounce of bite. Co-produced/engineered by Jesse Turnbull (Dilly Dally, Dear-God, Tokyo Police Club) and mixed by Juro "Mez" Davis (J Cole, Ari Lennox, Earthgang), the song's tightly coiled beat and heavy synth bassline build to an explosive conclusion that unexpectedly utilizes a soulful sample from Gwen McCrae's "He Keeps Something Groovy Goin' On."

Naranjo discussed the new song, saying:
"This song is about growing up in a certain neighborhood in Toronto and some fond memories I have, as well as some hard ones," he reflects. "This track really captures a certain time, and an era that is very special to me as well as influential to my music."

DoFlame is like the hardcore version of a coming-of-age movie, capturing all of the joy, confusion, and determination of being young and unsure of what’s next. On BENT his genre-twisting ways earned attention from the likes of Alternative Press, Revolver Magazine, BrooklynVegan, BBC 6 Music, and more, and now "Drunk Talk" kicks off a new chapter.

In addition to DoFlame, Naranjo also spearheaded the start of OFFLEASH, a collective of friends and collaborators doing everything from filming skate videos and music videos, to designing and manufacturing clothing, to hosting shows and even community bbqs around the city. “I just wanted to make some kind of central hub for everyone to join in and identify with,” he says. “I wanted kids to see that you can do cool things, you can make cool things, you don’t just have to sit around or party. I want to document this scene we have and show the world through our eyes what’s happening with our friends and our city.” That same spirit fuels BENT, and now it's at the heart of "Drunk Talk" and DoFlame's future. This is combative, catchy, creative music that has personality to spare.

Praise for DoFlame and BENT:
"...raucous, swaggering hardcore...unbridled shoutalongs that bring people closer." - Alternative Press
"...the perfect balance between polished and gritty and crucially, it’s distinctive." - Kerrang
"...catchy and melodic, kinda dancey and hip-hop, but still punk at heart." - Revolver Magazine
"...ferocious punk groover..." - Exclaim