ReeToxA returns with a single that demonstrates rock’s eternal capacity to express human emotion at its most elemental and exciting extremes. “Humbug” is an adventure that combines ’70s rock energy with 21st-century storytelling, evoking a sense of both memories and vitality.
Jason McKee took much longer to find his way, and one could argue he tripped over the path first, driven by nothing more fleeting than his not-so-secret crush on a talented musician who worked in his rehearsal studio, than what probably may have felt to some like an entirely insignificant mistake. Miss-playing his pentatonic scale produced a riff so mesmerizing that a song had to be written on the spot, and Jason reached across the studio sofa to do just that, penning the ditty in less than a minute. Enter guitarist James Ryan, who runs the riff through the cosmos, making a journey that feels like you’re traversing planets before crashing right back down to earth, where it becomes impossible not to be at least a little moved by it.
“Humbug” effectively incorporates a diverse range of stylistic influences, from art and progressive rock to elements of grunge and punk, with a hint of soul, without sounding contradictory. It’s a testimony to the ability of ReeToxA to bring influences from all of rock together and remain true to its sound. The guitar playing is incendiary, and the drums and bass lock into each other with hypnotic precision. Jason’s lead vocal projects both openness and hope as he speaks for someone waiting for love in a world that can sometimes seem cold.
“Humbug” is being met with enthusiasm from crowds at gigs and open mics, who find themselves attracted to the fact that the track’s rhythm and riff challenge them to move and take notice. But hearing the song even on headphones, its potency is beyond impossible to ignore, the kind of track you want to rewind just to catch every micron of its detail.
In a world where the lightning-fast pace of music too often reflects only trends that are here today and gone tomorrow, “Humbug” is a timely reminder of the alchemy that can happen when naked emotion, grisly bar-room debate, and pure technical skill all crash headfirst into each other. It’s an anthem of hope, mistakes made beautiful, and the kind of connection only great rock music can foster.
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