"Rewind (feat. Machine on a Break)" by Ben Rankin dropped earlier this month as the second single from his forthcoming fifth studio album In Memoriam (set for a February 27th release), "Rewind" finds the 22-year-old Canberra-based artist Ben Rankin channelling raw emotional reckoning into something fiercely cathartic.
Self-produced in his home studio and featuring a sharp collaboration with local artist Machine on a Break, the track arrives as a bold pivot—blending his established rock/metal roots with pop melodic sensibilities while leaning harder into heavier, more atmospheric territory. The song opens in brooding industrial suspense: crisp, tension-building atmospheres crackle like static before the storm, guitars swirling into a distorted, relentless downpour backed by thumping beats. When the intensity pulls back, Rankin's reverb-drenched vocals cut through with cold precision—"I am sorry that you are stuck to playing games, what a shame"—delivering a measured, devastating farewell to toxic cycles.
It's about finally refusing to hit replay on destructive relationships, confronting past demons, and choosing self-discovery over endless loops. The narrative lands with clarity: realization outweighs lingering emotion, raw honesty without recklessness. Influences from Bring Me The Horizon, Sleep Token, I Prevail, and Asking Alexandria are evident in the balance of melody and brutality—screaming edges meet soaring, emotive hooks—but Rankin keeps it intimate. The DIY production gives the track a personal, almost claustrophobic feel: what starts as a safe space quickly becomes an emotional battleground. Machine on a Break's contribution sharpens the edges without overpowering Rankin's vision, adding layers that heighten the contrast between quiet vulnerability and forceful release.
What makes "Rewind" compelling is its restraint amid the heaviness. It doesn't scream for attention; it earns it through deliberate pacing and emotional weight. There's an undercurrent of resilience here—a quiet confidence in knowing when to let go—and it hints at the larger arc of In Memoriam. For fans of modern alternative/metal that prioritizes feeling over flash, this is a standout moment that showcases Rankin's growth as both songwriter and producer.
A minor note: the track's intensity might feel polarizing for listeners who preferred the more acoustic-leaning moments from his 2024 album Welcome To My House, but that's precisely what makes this evolution exciting. It's heavier, more focused, and unafraid to confront discomfort head-on.
A heavy, honest gut-punch of a single that signals Ben Rankin is entering his most purposeful chapter yet. If this is the preview, In Memoriam could be his defining statement.
Add comment
Comments