Reset 89 is the project of Australian artist Clay Wakefield and “Influence” is his 2024 album that somehow slipped by without much attention. It’s a 10 track release that leans into industrial rock with electronic layers. This one deserves more ears than it got.
I played it front to back last night without stopping and that’s really the way to go. The songs connect well and nothing is out of place. The mix of heavy guitar riffs and electronic beats keeps things moving while the synth parts sit in the background adding texture to the overall sound.
The choruses are easy to latch onto. You may find yourself singing some of them by the next morning. The vocal melodies are simple and his voice perfectly carries the tone of the record. The production is one of my favorite parts. It’s not overly clean and that’s great. There’s a rough edge in the sound, especially in the drums and distortion, but everything is still clear enough to follow.
The writing takes aim at online culture and influencer behavior, sometimes direct, sometimes a bit sarcastic. Tracks like “Fame Addiction” and “Conspiracy Guy” make that pretty obvious. I liked this album more than I expected. It’s focused, catchy and built with care. I’d definitely check out whatever Reset 89 does next.
