Transforming profound personal adversity, psychological crises, and deep spiritual encounters into world-class orchestral art demands a songwriter willing to bare his soul without compromise. When life strips everything away, music often serves as the final thread keeping a spirit anchored to the earth, proving that true creative genius stems directly from real-life survival rather than superficial trends. Melbourne-based singer, songwriter, and arranger Jason Mckee, performing under the artistic moniker Reetoxa, reaches that exact monumental milestone on his early September four-track EP titled Double A Side 2 (Akaroa / Erica And The Stars). Released on September 10, 2026, the project delivers an extraordinary, emotionally charged double single paired with full karaoke versions, standing as a triumphant testament to human resilience, spiritual connection, and the healing power of artistic expression.
Mckee’s creative journey is defined by remarkable strength and unvarnished authenticity. Rather than drawing inspiration strictly from musical predecessors, his songs are forged in the fires of intense personal history. To bring his raw narrative vision into physical reality, he assembled an elite team of world-class collaborators gathered by producer, mixer, and mastering engineer Simon Moro. Recorded at The Avenue Recording Studio in Cheltenham, Victoria, with recording engineer Luke Crouch behind the console, the sessions feature Terry HarT on piano, James Ryan from Men at Work on guitar, Peter Martin from Jet on drums, Kit Riley on bass, and backup vocal power from Jessica Mcpherson-Riley of The Voice Australia. Adding a breathtaking, cinematic dimension to the production, the Budapest Orchestra performed live orchestral arrangements in Hungary, perfectly translating the sweeping soundscapes Mckee heard inside his mind during his darkest moments.
The first lead track on the release, Akaroa, carries a deeply moving origin story born out of heartbreak and grief. Back in 2017, while enduring a difficult six-month prison sentence where his beloved mother Bobbie passed away during the first month, Mckee experienced a vivid spiritual dream. In the vision, two floating heads appeared in outer space; one was his late mother, and the other was a young girl with pale skin and curly hair, looking like an exact mix of his mother and ex-wife. After his mother said farewell, the little girl looked at him and asked why no one would look after her, stating she was in Akaroa. Waking up suddenly to fellow prisoners fighting in his unit, Mckee realized the girl represented a daughter lost to a tragic miscarriage in 2010 during his naval service. Having never heard the word Akaroa, he wrote the name down phonetically and strummed an octave chord progression on his guitar before a guard ordered him to be silent.
Though the song was momentarily forgotten the next day, destiny intervened years later in 2019. While on a cruise around New Zealand, unexpected bad weather forced Mckee’s ship to dock in the coastal town of Akaroa. Walking along the beach, an overwhelming, unexplainable spiritual presence washed over him, bringing the entire melody rushing back in an instant. Sensing his lost daughter’s spirit lingering in that peaceful coastal haven, he completed the songwriting inside his cabin that very night. The finished track pairs intimate vocal delivery against warm acoustic strumming and soaring electric guitar fills, crafting a tender, haunting atmosphere that offers profound solace to anyone navigating grief.
The companion piece, Erica And The Stars, emerges from an equally intense battle with severe mental health challenges. Months after the New Zealand journey, Mckee suffered a harrowing episode of psychosis and hallucinations that pushed him to the absolute brink on a high-rise balcony. In that desperate second, a whisper from his loyal dog Lucy bought him precious time to pull back inside. Looking at a local band’s vinyl cover on his shelf, he saw the lead singer Erica morphing into a space suit with a ray gun pointing to the stars. Calling emergency services, he began frantically writing down lyrics and musical ideas, instantly silencing the internal voices. Following a hospital stay, he composed the full orchestral arrangement in his room, hearing a glorious symphony playing in his mind that shielded him from dark thoughts.
Featuring the full grandeur of the Budapest Orchestra, Erica And The Stars stands as a breathtaking musical miracle. Lush string swells, dramatic brass fanfares, and delicate woodwind accents paint a vivid picture of flying through outer space to defeat inner demons before floating safely back home. Mckee’s expressive vocals sit front and center, supported by soaring backing harmonies that elevate the track into an epic, triumphant anthem of emotional recovery. The song captures the precise moment light pierces through absolute darkness, reminding us that creative beauty can flourish in the most unexpected circumstances.
Completing the four-track tracklist are full instrumental karaoke versions of both lead singles. These additions allow listeners and fellow vocalists to immerse themselves directly in the rich instrumental architecture crafted by Simon Moro and his world-class ensemble. Stripping away the lead vocals highlights the delicate piano motifs, driving drum transients, and pristine orchestral mixing, offering a deep appreciation for the technical mastery embedded within every bar.
Executing such a complex hybrid production blending rock band rhythm sections with European orchestral sessions demands exceptional spatial balance and audio engineering discipline. The master recording preserves a wide, three-dimensional acoustic soundstage where every instrument occupies a clear, intentional zone inside the stereo field. The deep bass notes and punchy drum beats hit with warm physical weight without smothering the delicate string arpeggios or ambient room reverb, resulting in a luxurious, headphone-ready listening experience.
What makes Double A Side 2 stand out so brilliantly on Apricot is its complete lack of pretense and absolute commitment to genuine human healing. Following the critical acclaim of his previous album Soliloquy, Reetoxa continues to build major international momentum, with promising label discussions currently underway across the United Kingdom, Asia, and Europe. The release serves as an essential, comforting sanctuary for lovers of intelligent songwriting, cinematic orchestrations, and art that honors the incredible resilience of the human spirit.
As momentum continues to build around this landmark September release across independent music blogs, radio programs, and tastemaker playlists, Double A Side 2 establishes an elevated benchmark for the Australian artist. It highlights a mature, courageous creator stepping into his prime, proving that no matter how difficult the journey becomes, hope and music will always carry us through.
Surrendering to the final decaying orchestral chords and trailing violin fades leaves a warm, deeply comforting stillness hanging softly in the quiet room. The sweeping symphonic pulse slowly tapers off into a serene, reflective silence that leaves your spirit elevated, your heart light, and your mind completely at peace. Double A Side 2 achieves its noble creative mission with quiet, radiant grace, delivering an essential, heartwarming EP that proves love and creativity will always triumph over the dark
