The captivating debut single “The Highway Song” by Juno Is, blends psychedelic rock and dream pop into an enchanting sonic experience.
Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Juno Is – AKA Mackenzie Hollebon – has released her new single The Highway Song, the first off of her debut album slated for release later this year.
Off the heels of her debut EP Creature Of Habit, Mackenzie is solidifying and shaping her sound, a blend of psychedelic rock and dream pop.
There’s almost a Hawaiian feel to the intro of The Highway Song, a collection of bongo percussion and shimmery synths, held together with a bouncing bass line. Mackenzie’s voice is inviting and warm, clearly capable of a variety of tones and moods.
By the time the fuzzy, distorted guitar starts swelling and the snare kicks in, the genre of The Highway Song seems to have an immediate, though cohesive shift. Amping up the energy while keeping it light, a grounding sense of positivity and hope exists in the spaces between the sparkling acoustic guitars and quaking tambourines.
The Highway Song takes on many forms, some led by a spacey synth and some by a ukulele-like strum, but it never loses its overall shape. Redolent of Planet Hunter, from Wolf Alice’s sophomore record, The Highway Song feels otherworldly.
By the time the track ends, we are left with a rich hunger for more. Mackenzie presents this track without fear, but instead with a quiet confidence. For someone reluctant to branch out into the psychedelic forest of sound, Juno Is acts like she’s been here many times before, moulding the genre to her will and permeating it with a sense of self.
This track refuses to become stagnant without leaning too far into abrupt dynamic changes. There’s a discipline to The Highway Song, one that allows for the rest of us to let loose.
The single encourages a deeper dive into the discography of Juno Is and an anticipation of who she’s becoming. Seamlessly produced, The Highway Song pays attention to all of its layers in equal measure, never allowing one to drown out the other.
It’s precise in its expansive nature; untameable though still traceable. It’s an exciting glimpse into what Juno Is has been building.
Listen to The Highway Song below.
Juno Is, emerged in 2019 as a solo project fueled by her desire to infuse her own personality into music. Transitioning from a drummer to a singer-songwriter, Mackenzie learned to play various instruments and self-record demos.
With the release of her EP ‘Creature Of Habit,’ Juno Is gained recognition for its unique blend of psychedelic dream rock.
Now based in Auckland, Mackenzie is embarking on her debut album, collaborating with local musicians and producers to delve deeper into uncharted musical territories.
Expect a rich and funky psychedelic journey when the album drops in late 2023.
Review by Caitlin Norris
