ReeToxA’s debut album Pines Salad is a gritty, emotionally rich dive into three decades of songwriting, served with a distinct Aussie bite. Jason McKee, the Melbourne-based force behind the project, delivers a 14-track record that blends ’90s grunge influences with modern indie flair. It’s an album carved from personal experience, heartbreak, and self-reflection, wrapped in raw lyricism and sharpened by a stellar lineup of musicians and production talent.
The opener “Alcohol” sets the tone with smoldering guitars and a vocal delivery full of tension. From there, tracks like “Amber” shine—McKee wrote it as a teenager, and it still punches with angst. The standout lyric, “I feel like a donkey in a thoroughbred show,” hits as an anthem for anyone who’s felt like an outsider. Backed by crashing drums and snarling guitars, the song captures that blend of romantic confusion and adolescent fury.
“Avocet Court” flips the script, with a lighter arrangement of strings and rhythm that paints a dreamy, golden atmosphere. McKee’s vocals glide over the melody, revealing a gentler but equally compelling emotional palette. The contrast shows his vocal and songwriting versatility.
Closing track “Call” strips everything back. A lonely guitar and repeated, vulnerable lyrics emphasize raw emotion without needing embellishment. McKee’s voice barely rises above the instrumentation, allowing space for silence, sadness, and reflection to settle in. It’s simple, moving, and masterfully restrained.
With Pines Salad, McKee doesn’t just introduce himself—he tells you where he’s been, what he’s survived, and why the wait was worth it.