Double A Side (Strong / Truce) by ReetoxA

Reetoxa’s “Strong / Truce” arrives as a compelling double A-side single, bringing together two emotionally charged tracks from Jason McKee’s expansive Soliloquy collection. Blending the nostalgic character of 1990s rock with contemporary production, the release offers two different perspectives on recovery, emotional struggle, forgiveness, and the difficult process of rebuilding a life.

At the centre of the project is Melbourne-based songwriter Jason McKee, whose music is strongly connected to his personal experiences. His Soliloquy project has grown into a 26-song autobiographical body of work, described as a musical diary of his life. “Strong / Truce” fits naturally into that larger narrative, offering listeners another intimate glimpse into the experiences that shaped him. “Truce” follows the story established by Reetoxa’s previous release “Gown.” The song reflects on forgiveness after a near-fatal overdose and the complicated emotions that followed. McKee explores the idea of forgiving the people and circumstances connected to his darkest period while acknowledging that complete peace is not always immediate.

The track therefore avoids presenting recovery as a simple conclusion. Instead, it captures the uncertainty that can remain even after someone begins moving forward. “Strong” approaches recovery from another angle. Written during a period when McKee was gradually rebuilding his life, the song reflects on loneliness, divorce, emotional uncertainty, and the difficult search for happiness. Its story is rooted in a period when McKee was living in a small Southbank apartment, working a modest finance job, and attempting to regain stability. Rather than portraying strength as having everything figured out, the song presents it as continuing to move forward despite unresolved emotions. Musically, both tracks carry a clear 90s influence while benefiting from modern production. Recorded at the renowned Avenue studio in Cheltenham, the songs combine rock instrumentation with a polished contemporary sound.

Producer Simon Moro, who first met McKee while teaching a Pro Tools course at RMIT, plays an important role in shaping the recordings. The recording process itself added considerable emotional depth. Moro encouraged McKee to mentally return to the period when each song was written before recording his vocals. Although emotionally demanding, the approach helped bring authenticity and intensity to the performances. The project also features an impressive group of musicians, including Peter Marin of Jet on drums, Kit Riley on bass, and James Ryan of Men At Work on guitar, with Luke Crouch contributing engineering. Together, “Strong” and “Truce” demonstrate why Reetoxa’s music stands out. These are not simply songs about difficult experiences; they are carefully constructed reflections on what comes after them. With honest songwriting, strong musicianship, nostalgic influences, and modern production, the double A-side adds another meaningful chapter to McKee’s remarkable Soliloquy story.