Haffway with his brand-new release “Wind Up,”

HAFFWAY, the artist project of songwriter/producer/engineer Sam Westhoff, is giving listeners the first glimpse of new original music with his brand-new release “Wind Up,” out now. Listen HERE.

“‘Wind Up’ is, not to much surprise, not a happy song. I tried to encapsulate what it felt like in the days leading up to being admitted to the psychiatric hospital. It feels chaotic at times, somber at others and at one point rather triumphant,” shared HAFFWAY. “The process of coming to terms with my inner humanity and getting to know the other me in me has been nothing short of turbulent. I assume it's not too singular of an experience. We made this in a studio in Norway surrounded by the ocean in an all glass live room. Written at the piano that overlooked the dilapidated shipping dock that hasn't been used in 100 years, it's hard to not want to try to encapsulate the feeling, a bit at least. String players, horn players and timpani. Big electric guitars, 12 string acoustic guitars, old shitty guitars and more big electric guitars. Antique upright pianos, grand pianos and Yamaha CP70 electric piano with physical strings. It's a sad song, but with a moment of relief that hopefully you get to feel. If you just feel sad the whole time, I'm sorry. My bad. Enjoy.”

The accompanying music video was a family affair, starring HAFFWAY’s father, Craig, and directed by his brother, Hugh. Watch HERE.

This marks HAFFWAY’s first new original song snice his debut album, Wither, was released in late 2025. The project – an unflinching exploration of love, loss, and mental health received critical praise from the likes of NPR, Rolling Stone, and more. HAFFWAY also recently released “East Coast (fck u la),” a reimagined version of his 2023 release from Prequel, his first-ever artist project, and a version of Wither cut “Better If Worse” featuring Matt Maeson.

HAFFWAY blends cinematic folk, alternative soul, and raw storytelling into what he calls "folkternative." When Westhoff isn't touring or making his next record for HAFFWAY, he spends his time writing and producing for artists such as Noah Kahan, Shaboozey, Dermot Kennedy, Matt Maeson, and up-and-coming artists including Buffalo Traffic Jam, The Bends, Bo Staloch, Josie Edwards, and others. His work appears on Kennedy’s and Kahan’s most recent albums, including with creative credits on The Great Divide standouts “Doors,” “Deny, Deny, Deny,” “Paid Time Off,” and more. He will join Buffalo Traffic Jam for select tour dates in October and will perform Sunday at Iron Blossom Festival in Richmond, VA.

HAFFWAY is putting the finishing touches on his sophomore album and will be sharing more details in the coming months.