I’ve been spinning “Bottle” by Melbourne artist Reetoxa all week, and it completely nails that gritty, mid-90s alternative vibe. What makes this one so interesting is the backstory. Frontman Jason McKee actually wrote the track back in 1995 when he was just fifteen, living in a lower socio-economic area of Frankston, and saved it because he knew it was special. Decades later, he finally brought it to life at The Avenue studio with a killer band, including Peter Marin from Jet on drums.
The song itself deals with some heavy stuff, sparked by a teenage night where Jason and his high school sweetheart rushed to help a friend get her locked-away medication. That real-world anxiety translates perfectly into the music. It starts out with an absolute explosion of a guitar riff courtesy of James Ryan, and the whole arrangement feels massive. It definitely has that raw, driving energy people mean when they call them “Cool INXS”. The production keeps all the authentic vintage edge intact while giving it a crisp, modern polish.
It is incredibly rare to see an independent act kick things off with a double album, but Reetoxa clearly has the material to back it up. If you miss the days of genuine alternative rock with actual stakes, you need to hear this. Go drop them a follow on Instagram to see what they do next.
Follow Reetoxa: Instagram – Spotify
