ReeToxA Serves a Raw and Riveting Debut with Pines Salad

Melbourne’s rock underdog-turned-frontman, ReeToxA, bursts onto the scene with a fearless debut album, ‘Pines Salad.’ It is a gritty, emotional, and occasionally cheeky 14-track chronicle of three decades of songwriting and soul-searching.

The brainchild of Jason McKee, ReeToxA’s music is full of the nostalgic essence of ‘90s grunge. This is polished with a modern edge that evokes names like Pearl Jam, Pixies, and Elliott Smith, but with the vulnerable storytelling power of Olivia Rodrigo and the pop intelligence of Taylor Swift. And yet, it’s unmistakably Aussie at heart, equal parts raw, unfiltered, and real.

Album meaning, its lead Single “Bobbie” – A Gut Punch in Melody

For those not fluent in Frankston slang, the album’s title, Pines Salad, is a tongue-in-cheek nod to a local term for a bag of weed. That playful irreverence sets the tone for the journey ahead: a collection of songs that are deeply personal, often humorous, and emotionally unguarded.

Moreover, the album’s emotional centrepiece, “Bobbie,” was born out of McKee’s darkest chapter, thus grieving the loss of his mother while serving a six-month sentence. The result is a stripped-down yet searing track that exposes the pain with a courage few artists dare to show. The accompanying music video provides a haunting visual layer to the song’s emotional weight.

Lyrics that Bite and Bare All

Lyrically, ReeToxA is a master of the clever twist and the vulnerable gut-punch. From lines like “I feel like a donkey in a thoroughbred show” on the track “Amber”, to his recurring themes of love, loss, and “confusion with women,” McKee holds nothing back. His delivery is earnest, his storytelling sharp, and his metaphors delightfully unusual.

Backing his lyrical honesty is a powerhouse production team led by Simon Moro, with instrumental support from some of Australia’s finest session musicians. He had Kit Riley (Michael Bublé, S@vage Garden) on bass, James Ryan (King Canyon) on guitar and Peter Marin (Jet) on drums. Their presence elevates Pines Salad from bedroom confessional to studio masterpiece, giving each track the weight and polish it deserves while preserving McKee’s raw authenticity.

A 30-Year Journey to Day One

Meanwhile, McKee’s journey spans back to his teenage songwriting days in 1995, and even includes a surreal moment of playing his early demo for the late Jeff Buckley. With Pines Salad, he’s finally giving the world access to a catalogue that’s been brewing for decades, and it shows. There’s depth, growth, and a sense that nothing here was rushed.

Thus, Pines Salad is not just an album; it’s a story of resilience, heartbreak, and creative rebirth. With a perfect blend of nostalgia, grit, and modern lyrical wit, ReeToxA is making a bold entrance into the rock scene. This is a debut that doesn’t just introduce an artist; it reveals a whole life lived through sound. Our highly recommended tracks off the album are Bobbie, Amber, Pines Salad, and That Girl With The Jawline.

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