Words by Oren Sharon
Inti cracks the door open and kicks it down on ‘Not What You Expect’. Some debut tracks ease you in, but ‘Not What You Expect’ does the opposite!
The single shoves the door open, grins like it knows something you don’t, and lets the amps scream. This is the opening shot of ‘Name This EP!’ and also the moment Intiaz “Inti” Haniff officially steps into song writing mode. Spoiler alert; he doesn’t play it safe.
Inti, who grew up in Miami and spent his early creative life acting and drumming, sounds like someone who waited until the timing felt right and then dumped everything on the table. There’s no overthinking here. The track is raw, scrappy garage rock with a pulse that feels alive, slightly reckless, and very intentional in its mess. You can hear the spontaneity right away, like the song might change shape if you listen too closely.
The White Stripes influence is loud and proud, but not in a cosplay way. It’s more like Inti absorbed that gritty blues-punk energy and filtered it through his own experiences. The guitar snarls, the rhythm hits hard without being flashy, and the whole thing moves forward with a kind of restless confidence. It’s tight, but not polished to death. The rough edges are the point.
What really gives ‘Not What You Expect’ its bite, though, is where it’s coming from. The song was inspired by Inti’s past struggles with religion and expectations, and you can feel that tension baked into every line and chord. This isn’t a quiet reflection or a neatly wrapped lesson. It’s confrontational, emotional, and a little brash, which Inti openly admits. That honesty lands. It feels like a release more than a performance.
Vocally, Inti leans into attitude over perfection. It fits the vibe. The delivery has grit, a little swagger, and a sense of freedom that makes the track feel lived-in rather than rehearsed. You get the sense that this song had to come out, not that it was carefully engineered to impress anyone.
As the opener to Name This EP!, ‘Not What You Expect’ does exactly what the title promises. This marks someone who doesn’t care about playing by rules or changing to please others. A first release that’s intimate but never flashy, bold yet full of substance, sure of itself while staying real, no fake wisdom needed.
If this track is any indication, Inti’s next moves are going to be driven by instinct and enthusiasm rather than fear. And honestly, that’s where the good stuff usually lives.
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