Smythy Returns With 80s-Inspired Indie Rock Single The Sequel
Since arriving on the Irish music scene back in 2020 with his debut single When It Happens
, Smythy has gone from strength to strength. With a string of releases under his belt, the Irish artist has built a reputation for mixing lo-fi indie sounds with catchy pop melodies, creating songs that have a knack for sticking in your head.
Following on from his recent single Feeling It All, Smythy is back with The Sequel
, another 80s-inspired alt-rock track that sees him leaning further into his love of retro sounds. This time around, though, there's a slightly darker story hiding beneath the upbeat melodies and dreamy synths.
A Catchy Slice of 80s-Inspired Indie Rock
Built around a melodic bassline and a steady drumbeat, The Sequel
has an easy-going groove that grabs your attention from the start. Warm, dreamy synths and bright keyboard hooks give the track a nostalgic 80s feel, while the catchy melodies bring just enough of a modern indie-pop edge to keep things sounding fresh.
Smythy's vocals sit comfortably alongside the instruments rather than pushing their way to the front of the mix. It's a style that works particularly well here, giving the song a slightly hazy, laid-back feel. There's plenty going on musically, but nothing feels overdone, with each element given enough room to do its thing.
A Song About Life, Regret and Being Forgotten
While The Sequel
might sound like a carefree slice of retro indie-pop on first listen, there's a lot more going on beneath the surface. Written from the perspective of a failing film director, the song tells the story of someone questioning their life choices while working on an unnecessary sequel to a once-beloved film.
It's a clever idea for a song and one that goes beyond the world of filmmaking. The director's frustration becomes a way of looking at something most of us have probably wondered at some point: are we actually doing what we want with our lives, or have we somehow ended up going through the motions?
There's also that nagging fear of becoming irrelevant or being forgotten, something that feels particularly relatable in a world where everyone seems to be chasing the next big thing. Smythy manages to tackle those bigger questions without making the song feel too heavy, wrapping it all up in a melody that's surprisingly easy to get lost in.
Smythy Talks About the Inspiration Behind The Sequel
Speaking about the track, Smythy says;
The Sequel’ is easily my favourite song I’ve created so far. It never really had to try too hard to be a finished product which is unique for me. It was written in all of ten minutes and the production side of it came really quickly. I’m not usually one for big metaphors in my music but I really like this idea of the jaded director working on some unnecessary part two of a movie series and questioning his life decisions and how he got to this point. I feel we all at some point in our lives wonder how we got to where we are and question if we are in fact in the right place.
Bringing The Sequel
to Life
Helping Smythy bring the track together is co-producer Rory Ryan, who contributed synth, guitar and bass elements to the recording. Galway-based musician Jack Niland takes care of the drums, while mixing and mastering duties were handled by Atlanta-based producer Ben Etter, rounding out the team behind the release.
Final Verdict
With The Sequel
, Smythy has delivered another catchy addition to his growing catalogue of indie releases. The mix of nostalgic 80s synths, melodic basslines and laid-back vocals makes for an enjoyable listen, while the story of a disillusioned film director gives the song a little more to chew on.
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