Reetoxa’s ‘Soliloquy’ is a grand, unfiltered descent into obsession and orchestral ambition

There’s something undeniably uncompromising about ‘Soliloquy’, the sprawling double album from Australia’s Reetoxa. This is a record that demands time, attention, and a willingness to sit inside someone else’s unravelling.

Driven by Jason McKee’s songwriting, the project carries the weight of years spent circling the same creative instinct before finally committing to it in full, and that long gestation is evident throughout. Throughout, there’s an accumulation of ideas, experiences, and unresolved tensions layered into something that feels deliberately excessive. But rather than trimming itself into a digestible format, ‘Soliloquy’ leans into its scale, embracing the kind of ambition rarely seen in independent releases.

Musically, the record moves between intimate rock arrangements and something far more expansive. The addition of orchestral elements introduces a cinematic dimension that elevates key moments into something almost theatrical. These passages intensify the emotional stakes, pushing songs beyond standard band dynamics into a more dramatic, widescreen territory.

And the performances across the album reinforce that sense of scope. With contributions from seasoned musicians, including players connected to acts like Robbie Williams and Jet, there’s a level of technical assurance underpinning even the most chaotic moments. Drums shift from restrained to explosive, basslines anchor the more abstract passages, and layered instrumentation gives the record a density that rewards repeat listens.

Yet what ultimately defines ‘Soliloquy’ is its emotional intensity. There’s a rawness that borders on uncomfortable at times, as if the album exists not just to express feeling, but to purge it. That intensity isn’t always easy but it’s also what gives the project its identity. It refuses distance, pulling us into a space where reflection and confrontation blur together.

In an era dominated by brevity, ‘Soliloquy’ stands apart through sheer commitment to its vision. It’s messy, ambitious, and an album that prioritises experience over accessibility, and in doing so, leaves a lasting impression.