Welcome to Chillers, the ongoing series where we take a look at songs that give me goosebumps. Beginning in 2026, new entries will be posted weekly on WordPress with an automatic cross-post to Bluesky.

In his debut musical work away from the familiar baseball-first world of We Got Ice, Jack Doyle steps into a new role as Man Half Empty with In Strike City. Dripping with his trademark off-beat humor, the song captures a very specific emotional spiral: getting struck out in Strike City, population—me.

The autotune is pushed to the brink, not as a crutch but as a stylistic choice, exaggerating the sadness and self-pity in a way that feels intentionally theatrical. Doyle’s narrator wails through the fallout of a failed at-bat, turning a small, mundane disappointment into a full-blown emotional catastrophe. It’s funny, but it’s also painfully relatable—because everyone has their own version of Strike City.

What really elevates the song is how effortlessly it balances comedy and sincerity. Beneath the jokes and exaggerated production choices, there’s a genuine sense of deflation and self-reflection. The entire Man Half Empty project has no business being as catchy as it is, and In Strike City stands out as one of its strongest examples. Doyle shows real musical instincts here, pairing sharp comedic timing with hooks that linger longer than you’d expect.

It’s a chiller in an unconventional way—less about beauty or sorrow, more about recognition. That moment where you laugh first… and then realize the song is about you.