ON THE RISE
San Diego indie pop-rock band 3rd Borough leans into their sharp-edged melodies and cinematic atmosphere on new single “Blood Like Yours,” released just in time for Halloween. The track rides an urgent pulse, guitars shimmering against a propulsive rhythm section, while vocals cut through with clarity against the dense instrumental backdrop. Equal parts anthemic and eerie, it blends the immediacy of pop hooks with the darker textures of alt-rock, setting the stage for a release that feels both catchy and spellbinding.
“This one came really naturally — we were just having fun in the studio. It’s a love song with a vampire twist, playful at its core, but, in my opinion, it carries a Michael Jackson–inspired pop sound. We wrote and produced it together, then brought in the band to seal it up,” said Paul Kipling (aka Apaulo8), co-founder of the 3rd Borough.
Lyrically, “Blood Like Yours” takes the familiar language of desire and dresses it in gothic finery, spinning a romance that’s equal parts dangerous and irresistible. The vampire metaphor turns intimacy into something hauntingly physical — an attraction that borders on hunger, where surrender feels inevitable.
“You can think of it as a love song dressed up in a vampire outfit,” shared Justin Werner, co-founder of the band. “At its core, it’s about longing and desire — that magnetic pull toward someone you barely know but can’t resist. You could swap the word ‘blood’ for ‘love’ throughout the song, and it would still make sense.”
Lines that frame love as a kind of dark consumption underscore the playfulness the band leans into, making the song feel both Halloween-appropriate and timeless in its treatment of infatuation. It’s a clever twist: what could read as sinister comes across instead as flirtatious, transforming a classic monster trope into a hook-driven pop allegory.
“It reminds me of how a vampire seduces a woman — but also how the woman seduces the vampire,” said Apaulo8. “The lines, ‘I waiting a millennium to find a cure’ and ‘I never had a taste for blood like yours,’ show both sides of the coin.”
Set for release on September 25, “Blood Like Yours” arrives with a vampire-charged music video that extends the song’s playful darkness to the screen. Leaning into retro '80s vampire vibes, the video pays direct tribute to The Lost Boys (1987), inspiration the group says came naturally once they realized how much of that era’s culture seeped into the track itself. The visual also features a guest appearance from T-Chronic of hip-hop group Atlantis Rizng, adding another layer of crossover energy to the project.
“We put the concept together ourselves — I wrote the screenplay, and Paul [Apaulo8] and I worked out the camera direction while letting the cameraman add his own touch,” shared Werner. “The editing was handled by cinematographer Victor Del Rio (a.k.a Savvy), and I worked with him to make sure it told the story we wanted. It’s probably one of the most fun videos we’ve made — very cinematic.”
The story follows a man lured into a vampire coven, tricked into drinking blood before joining the hunt. Shot through with tongue-in-cheek horror and a slapstick edge, it balances thrills with humor — a knowing wink to the genre that makes this music video as entertaining as it is referential.
Alongside the video, the band will also release Blood Like Yours Documented, a behind-the-scenes documentary that explores the making of the track and video, from the songwriting process to on-set production. Set to drop the same day as the video, the documentary offers fans a deeper look at the creative chemistry that drives 3rd Borough.
“Blood Like Yours” is the first single to be released from 3rd Borough’s upcoming 12-track album The Human Quest. The record promises a wide-ranging journey through moods and styles, from rock-and-roll–leaning love songs to ambient, 70s-inspired atmospherics, while still carrying the band’s signature cinematic edge.
The next track fans can look forward to is “The One Thing,” which blends 80s pop sensibilities with a rock undercurrent — a sound Werner describes as “Tears for Fears meets The Weeknd.” From there, the band will continue rolling out new singles each month, building toward an album release party, likely to take place in April to coincide with Apaulo8’s birthday.
“Mark [Mark Boyce, keyboardist] wrote the foundation of that song — it was inspired by The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights,’ with its 80s vibe and all the Vegas imagery,” continued Apaulo8. “Once Justin and I got our hands on it, we reworked the direction quite a bit, but it all started with Mark.”
Described by Werner as carrying a “David Bowie meets Harry Styles” energy, “The One Thing” took on a life of its own while still reflecting 3rd Borough’s signature sound. Other highlights on The Human Quest include “Controlling the Fire,” another cinematic track born from one of Justin’s dreams that blends hip-hop grit with futuristic country-western Americana — a song Apaulo8 calls one of his favorite rap performances.
Then there’s “Bababah,” one of the band’s oldest compositions on the album, originally written more than 15 years ago and preserved here as a nod to their roots. With its storytelling charm and timeless feel, it stands as both a love song and a reminder of how far the band’s sound has traveled while staying true to its origins.
Formed in Ocean Beach, 3rd Borough brings together a collective of musicians whose chemistry has been key to shaping their sound. At the core is singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter Justin Werner, alongside DJ, beatmaker, and co-writer Apaulo8. Bassist and engineer Ibo Rodriguez, who first worked with the group behind the board, eventually stepped in as a full-time player, while keyboardist Mark Boyce’s early collaborations proved so essential that it solidified the project into a true band. Rounding out the lineup are drummer Arh Kota (Argel Cota) and lead guitarist DonoFox, each lending their own seasoned experience from a wide range of projects and musical genres.
“We’re all strong enough to be solo musicians, a lot of us are even classically trained, which is why we’re such a powerhouse when we come together. As 3rd Borough, we turn into Voltron, something bigger than the sum of our parts,” enthused Apaulo8.
While the name might sound like a nod to New York’s boroughs, “3rd Borough” actually carries a much older and more unexpected meaning. The term comes from Old English, where “thirdborough” referred to a peace officer — someone tasked not with carrying weapons, but with resolving conflicts through unity and understanding. To the band, the name felt almost fated, aligning with their belief in connection, harmony, and creativity as forces for peace.
“We’ve always loved that definition,” said Werner. “The way we found it was kind of magical — I pulled out this old dictionary, Paul [Apaulo8] closed his eyes, and the first thing he landed on was ‘thirdborough.’ When we read what it meant, it clicked right away. Instead of conflict, it’s about resolving things in a peaceful manner, which is really at the heart of what we’re about as a band.”
That ethos of peace and openness also shapes 3rd Borough’s music, allowing them to draw from a vast spectrum of styles while keeping their core identity rooted in light, love, and joy. Their sound moves fluidly between eras and genres — from the Beatles’ classic pop warmth to the grit of 90s grunge, the edge of My Chemical Romance, the grooves of hip-hop pioneers like Run DMC, and even the polished pop of artists like Post Malone. The Human Quest captures this range: 80s-inspired anthems, hip-hop textures, and rock-and-roll coexist seamlessly, unified by the band’s commitment to making music that feels positive, inclusive, and fun.
“We definitely tackle a wide range of music, but it’s always PC — safe for a five-year-old or a fifty-year-old to listen to. It doesn’t matter if it’s pop, rock, or hip-hop,” explained Apaulo8.
True to their vision, 3rd Borough is beginning their release strategy with an analog-first approach, echoing the physical culture of the 80s while offering fans something tangible. The Human Quest will debut on vinyl and cassette, with digital streaming to follow in 2026. To make those editions more than just music, the band has partnered with Opie Ortiz, the artist behind Sublime’s iconic 40oz. to Freedom cover — to create original artwork for the album. Ortiz’s designs, which have historically transcended into tattoos, clothing, and other cultural touchstones, reflect 3rd Borough’s own ambition: to craft a body of work that resonates beyond the songs themselves, embodying the spirit of Southern California while carrying a timeless quality that fans can literally hold onto.
“For us, it’s about being more connected to the audience,” added Werner. “These songs have a timeless element, and we wanted the visual representation to reflect that. By starting with vinyl and tape, people aren’t just getting music — they’re taking home a piece of art.”
Fans of thoughtful storytelling and true artistic expression can sink their teeth into “Blood Like Yours,” releasing September 25 as the first taste of The Human Quest. With new singles dropping each month, 3rd Borough invites listeners to follow their journey across social media for updates, appearances, surprises, and details on their upcoming album release party.
ON THE RISE
Lebanese artist Elie Al Hajj — better known as Ely — is ready for connection.
His new rock song, “My Falling Star,” dropped last month. The track is a showcase for Ely’s versatility and passion. The song and its 80s vibes will appeal to audiences eager for their next heartbreak anthem.
The lyrics recount a love that ended too soon, and the reminiscence of a night under a sky full of shooting stars. Amidst thundering drums and a big guitar solo, Ely’s pleading voice is the main focus, with a Cher-like tone quality and vibrato.
Ely’s persistent passion is reflected in the song’s repeating four chords. Like that night with the shooting star that he can’t forget, the music returns again to remind him:
I feel the pain inside my broken heart
I never felt this way before, girl
I never want to feel this way again
Goodbye to you, my falling star
Your love will always shine on me
I’ll close my eyes and there you’ll be
With English lyrics, Ely, 43, aims to reach beyond the Mediterranean basin to connect with international fans. While he also releases songs in Arabic, he has broader plans for his music.
He says, "In Lebanon, most of the people and the known artists sing in Arabic... But I can do both. I can do English, I can do Arabic. By recording in English, I'm aiming to appeal to a more international audience."
He knows it won’t be easy to reach his fans, but he is not afraid to put in the work. His songs, like “My Falling Star,” are beacons to the like-minded lovers and dreamers out there in the world somewhere.
Ely says, "I just want my fans, if it happens, I just want them to respect what I do in the same way that I respect them and the same way that I give them my music from the heart."
Ely’s creative background extends beyond music. A filmmaker, he is known for directing and starring in the 2018 romantic comedy, I'd Prefer Your Problems Princess. His filmmaking prowess is also put to use as he directs his music videos. This includes the beautiful outdoor locations for “My Falling Star”.
With “My Falling Star,” Ely is committed to building a genuine audience for his own songs — not just covers, not just regional radio play, but an international fan base connected by shared emotion and respect.
His wistful lyrics and emotive instrumental playing may have been born from heartbreak, but Ely insists they point toward something larger: persistence, hope, and the belief that music still has the power to bridge worlds. He doesn’t want to wait any longer.
“I’m 43 now — there’s no more wasting time,” Ely says. “I just want people to hear about me, to feel what I feel, and to know that I give them everything from the heart. If I can reach fans who give that back, I’ll have done what I set out to do.”
With the passion and progress of songs like “My Falling Star,” it’s clear that Elie al Hajj is ready to make the leap. Fans can dive into Ely’s work and listen to “My Falling Star” at the links below:
