Thoughts and Prayers (album)

Thoughts and Prayers is the debut studio album by the American rock band Hawthorne Heights, released on June 1, 2024, through Pure Noise Records. The album marks a stylistic shift for the band, known for their pop-punk/emo roots, incorporating heavier elements of post-hardcore and alternative metal.

The album’s title is a pointed commentary on the often-used, and perceived as inadequate, phrase "thoughts and prayers" offered in response to tragedies, particularly mass shootings, without accompanying action or policy changes. Hawthorne Heights uses the album to explore themes of societal apathy, mental health struggles, and the need for meaningful change.

Thoughts and Prayers consists of eleven tracks. Several singles preceded the album's release, including "Here Comes the Flood," "The Storm," and "Dandelions." The album received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising the band's willingness to experiment and address complex issues, although some noted the departure from their earlier sound might alienate some long-time fans. The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart.