As the old proverb goes, ‘it never rains, but it pours’. It refers to the tendency for difficult situations to follow each other in rapid succession or to arrive all at the same time, which can feel relentless and unjust.
It’s a feeling that musician Rhys Oakes, who goes by the alias Foxa Riot, has managed to bring to life in his debut single Letdown (Everything I Ask For).
“I don’t think there’s a nicer way to describe it,” he said. “Letdown is about dwelling in depression, convincing yourself that most days, a cloud of misfortune and injustice is floating above your head.”
The multi-genre bedroom producer drew from his own shocking experience in which one month saw him battle through a series of unfortunate and tragic events.
“I had a weird month where a mate died suddenly, everything piece of technology I owned was breaking and a random bloke tried to stab me while out on a walk, amongst other inconveniences self explained in the lyrics!
“It typified the point in life I think a lot of people can relate to – between complete mental breakdown and having a smidge of hope things will be okay.”
We’re introduced to Foxa Riot by a vintage-style advert for Deano’s Depressi-o’s, with ‘zero cares and zero nutrition’, the little blue cereal hoops almost mimicking medication in the imagery for this fully-conceptualised release.
The retro broadcast powers down to make way for the 29-year-old’s fun, saccharine-sweet pop hook, bringing a sense of irony when paired with darker subject matter in the lyrics. It’s not aimed to make light of mental health issues, though – every project that Rhys has ever worked on, from 10o’Clock Chemical to F.A.R has been intentional and measured.
All too often people who haven’t experienced the lows of mental health believe it can be ‘fixed’ by ‘starting your day the right way’, or going for a walk. Letdown is the epitome of ‘dark clouds and fake smiles ahead’, with sombre lyrics stretched across a backdrop of bright, upbeat computerised pop, reminding me of Paramore’s technicolour Hard Times album with element’s of The Streets’ Mike Skinner, and at times, even artists like Lily Allen.
Mostly recorded from the comfort of his bedroom, the drums were the only part tracked at Lower Lane Studios, with Sam Ogden (Static Dress) translating the previously digital percussion to a real kit, which gives Letdown a fuller sound with more texture.
Rhys added: “I’ve had the song for about three years and it’s a crowd favourite – probably because the chorus is easy and everyone just gets the message, so it’s about time it became an internet thing.
“It took so long to record because it went through loads of versions until I realised the right vibe, which ended up being a stripped back and imperfect lofi version.”
That grainy, DIY sound paired with the visual concepts really breathes life into Letdown and gives it its own personality.
Letdown still manages to offer that glimmer of hope and faith required to carry on in the lyric “but watch me fall and still look up”.
Originally released exclusively on TikTok on May 5, this moreish track about life’s lemons from Foxa Riot combines misery with motivation for a scratchy electropop earworm that serves as an important reminder that things do get better, and is catchy enough to put a smile on your face for its duration.
Foxa Riot is set to headline the Your City Festival 2023 at The Backyard on Saunday, May 28.
Letdown (Everything I Ask For)* came out on Friday, May 19. You can listen to the track here:
*Deano’s Depressi-o’s not included.
