Eagle Owl Releases ‘Way Out’ Featuring Jaydi Zavala: A Dark, Cinematic Hip-Hop Confessional
- Eric Alper
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Winnipeg, MB – Eagle Owl, the rising Canadian voice fusing alt-pop, alt-R&B, and hip-hop, announces the release of his powerful new single “Way Out.” The track embodies raw emotion and cinematic darkness, pushing the boundaries of genre while staying rooted in the culture’s spirit of truth-telling and resilience. Blending melodic hooks with hard-hitting bars, Eagle Owl captures what he describes as his own self-portrait: 'For me, “Way Out” is like a self-portrait. It represents my inner battles, our struggles in life wanting a way out especially in this day and age.'
Eagle Owl’s story has always been about standing apart. Based out of Winnipeg and pulling inspiration from early Billie Eilish, BANKS, G-Eazy, 6LACK, and Bad Omens, his sound is steeped in both vulnerability and power. Growing up in the church, his lyrics often move through themes of faith, struggle, and survival. 'My work speaks to the misunderstood, the seekers, the outlier fans and even to the outsiders,' he explains.
“Way Out” was born on a day Eagle Owl felt mentally trapped. 'I needed to create something that felt like an escape hatch for my own thoughts basically wanting a way out,' he recalls. That raw emotion spilled directly into lyrics like: 'Never had a way out, on my way out, try to shut it out, that it’ll never will work out, never found a way out, never had a handout, you never understand who I really am'. The track stands as both testimony and therapy, speaking to anyone chasing freedom from toxic cycles, expectations, or inner walls.
Production-wise, “Way Out” is crafted with meticulous intent. Eagle Owl drew sonic inspiration from alt-pop/R&B giants like The Weeknd and memyself&vi, shaping a record that feels vulnerable and menacing at once. Wanting to elevate the track’s dynamic, he enlisted Jaydi for a collaborative performance: 'I have been wanting a song to collaborate with a female artist for years, this song just felt natural for that, where it’s almost like a two-person dynamic by the end of it and Jaydi fitted perfectly,' Eagle Owl explains.
The mix was handled by local producer Cailen Penner, chosen deliberately to keep the energy rooted in Winnipeg’s creative community. 'It did take a few tries to get the perfect mix but Cailen did perfect for mixing both my and Jaydi’s vocals,' Eagle Owl shares. For mastering, he linked with industry veteran Travis Ference, who has worked with Imagine Dragons, Taylor Swift, and Big Time Rush. 'He loved it before even he started working on it… he sent myself the first master and I was blown away that I’m like this can actually be a radio hit!'
The single is about survival. 'The core emotion behind “Way Out” is the feeling of wanting to break free, whether it’s from toxic cycles, expectations, or your own inner walls,' Eagle Owl emphasizes. Lyrics like 'I’m from the north, you’re from the south, I’m trying everything, I wish it was something,’ ground the track in lived reality and cultural duality, reflecting both place and perspective.
“Way Out” also sets the tone for Eagle Owl’s upcoming EP, which he describes as darker, more personal, and representative of his journey over the past few years. By blending his alt influences with hip-hop’s confessional roots, Eagle Owl positions himself as an artist who speaks directly to the misunderstood, the seekers, and the outsiders—a voice from Winnipeg echoing far beyond its borders.
With 'Way Out,' Eagle Owl is delivering more than a single. He’s opening a chapter that balances melody and menace, faith and fire, artistry and authenticity. As he puts it: 'When people hear “Way Out,” I hope they feel like they can get out of their way—out of that funk, that relationship, or whatever the case might be. Just hope you get a way out.'
“Way Out”
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