Doggone – Imitation (how to become you) Review: Indie-Pop’s New Mystery

Doggone’s “Imitation (how to become you)” is a Beautiful, Identity-Crises Mess

Let’s talk about doggone. If you’ve been following the project (widely believed to be Ben Hohner), you know he doesn’t really do “predictable.” But even for him, the new single “Imitation (how to become you)” feels like a pivot.

Dropped just a few days ago, it’s already racking up shares, and honestly? It’s probably the most honest thing he’s released yet—even if it is literally about being “fake.”

What does it actually sound like?

If his earlier stuff like William or Cells was about finding a groove, “Imitation” is about deconstructing it. It’s got that signature lo-fi, “warped tape” sound that makes it feel like you’re listening to a memory.

The track starts with this lonely, bluesy guitar riff, but then these weird, pitch-shifted vocals start creeping in. It’s a bit unsettling, but in a way that makes you want to hit repeat immediately. It’s not “shiny” pop; it’s gritty, slightly broken, and feels very human.

The “Identity Crisis” in the Lyrics

The title is a bit of a gut-punch: “Imitation (how to become you)” In 2026, we’re all constantly bombarded by “perfect” versions of people online, and this song taps right into that “identity envy” It’s a song for anyone who’s ever looked at someone else and thought, I’d rather be that version of you than this version of me.

“It’s a song about the masks we wear until we forget what’s underneath.”

Whether he’s talking about the music industry trying to copy a “sound” or just the general vibe of living in a digital fishbowl, it hits hard. It’s self-aware, it’s a little bit cynical, and it’s deeply relatable.

Why you should care

Doggone is winning right now because he isn’t trying to be an “influencer.” There are no high-budget TikTok dances or forced “viral” moments. It’s just the music.

In a world where everything feels like a copy of a copy, “Imitation” ironically feels like the most original thing we’ve heard all year. It’s messy, it’s raw, and it’s exactly what indie-pop needs right now.