When New Zealand’s Rei pairs with Auckland-via-Washington’s Mikey Mayz, you can expect vibes, vocals, and vision to meld together, and their latest collaboration, “Cali Sober,” is no exception. This is a feeling, a movement, a whiff of sun-soaked soul that urges you to stop buying into the usual party trappings and get real, all while swaying to a hypnotic island rhythm.
It was produced with the ever-reliable EDY, the man behind enough of NZ’s favorite reggae and R&B tracks. “Cali Sober” sugars social awareness in an irresistible sound. The first beat has a laid-back yet purposeful energy, as warm guitar plucks and easygoing percussion create an atmosphere. It’s alternative R&B with island elements, a song that will feel at home on every chill playlist this summer.
Pulling from the ascendant “Cali Sober” lifestyle, where people stop drinking but might take other, more focused highs, the song encourages us to re-envision what connection can be. Rei’s laid-back delivery hints at an itch to do something more than simply turn up, while Mikey Mayz drifts in with a melodious flow that’s a perfect match for the introspective yet provocative vibe. And there’s a refreshing honesty to “Cali Sober.” It taps into a generation moving away from excess and toward more authentic experiences.
The video is equally only adding to the message visually. Think golden-hour aesthetics, a sense of intimacy, and a bunch of feel-good moments that make you want to call your best mates and plan that bonfire at the beach already. In a world where getting sloshed just to have a break and forget about everything is glorified in song, Rei and Mikey Mayz have turned that tale on its head. “Cali Sober,” we’re reminded, may be every bit as euphoric as clarity is getting, as intoxicating for connection and with as deep of a groove.
Stream on Spotify:
Connect with Rei on Instagram – @musicbyrei
Connect with Mikey Mayz on Instagram – @mikeymayz
