Single Review: Messy

Auckland five-piece Psycho Gab make their mark on the local music scene with their debut single, Messy. Fusing neo-soul and R&B into an engaging, easily consumable number, it’s an exciting introduction to the band.

Messy is filled with joyous, jazzy drums, dreamy keys and sweeping melodies. The band’s lead singer lets their soul shine through on every line with impressive control and expressivity. “We can’t settle into complacency”, comes the belted lyric before a chorus filled with thrilling new flourishes. It’s a track that is constantly unpredictable without losing its familiarity. Even better, the musical content aligns with what’s being said. Messy narrates a celebration of complicated relationships, both to others and ourselves, and its production is appropriately all over the place in the best way.

The song’s absolute highlight is its closing minute. Flirting with key changes, it’s dissonant and experimental, toying with audience expectations right when they might start thinking they know what’s going on. The closing lyric, “I was lost but now I’m found”, moves up and down scales in a manner that ensures you can hear Psycho Gab’s impressive musicianship.

When Messy is over, listeners will be left with an intense craving to hear more, more, more from Psycho Gab! Keep an eye out for their future releases and live shows, as this single proves they’re an act not to be missed.