Rock music demands honesty, but US duo Tock + Tone prefer a different approach: razor-sharp, satirical cheek. The self-proclaimed “dysfunctional duo” of Joel Tock and Steve Laxtón have made their name by dismantling modern culture with a sound that’s as electrifying as their perspective is cynical. Since their formation, this pair have built a dynamic, genre-blending discography fuelled by unfiltered social commentary, amassing over two million streams and igniting plenty of online debate along the way.
Following on from singles like ‘Time Machine’ and ‘Cool Like Canada’, the Wisconsin-based outfit have returned with ‘Something To Do’, a layered new anthem that proves they are masters of the compelling, character-rich hook. Weaving together elements of rock, soul, R&B, and blues, Tock + Tone take a fearless approach to their songwriting, always keeping their tracks both thoughtful and unpredictable.
The sound on ‘Something To Do’ is a magnificent blend of jangling guitars, potent percussion, and rich, infectious grooves, all wrapped up with a melodic swagger that brings to mind the anthemic scope of The Who or the best of Oasis-era Noel Gallagher. Yet, beneath the soaring energy lies a clever, multi-layered exploration of modern disillusionment.
The single’s brilliance is in its ambiguity. Is it a bitter condemnation of performative adulthood or a liberating call to reject expectations? Tock + Tone don't hand the listener easy answers. Instead, the hypnotic vocals rise above the instrumentation to deliver pointed lyricism, such as the killer lines, “people in left and right living in make-believe,” which cut through the façades of social and romantic expectations. The chorus, “you don’t know me, I don’t know you, you see through me, I see through you,” is a haunting recognition between two people aware they’re both simply playing along. The duo simply leaves you to wonder what’s real and what’s not in your own life.
This cathartic, memorable track is less about having all the answers and more about realising that maybe we’ve all been pretending all along. ‘Something To Do’ is another testament to Tock + Tone’s uncompromising vision and their unique ability to make an audit of modern anxieties sound like the best night out you've ever had.
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