By: Staff
Subak just released “Millbrae Meltdown”, and we’re beyond excited to dive into this electrifying track.
Right off the bat, the cascading guitar intro, with its chiming, bright, and lush delivery, immediately grabs your attention and pulls you into the song’s sonic landscape. From that very moment, and even just from their photos and no doubt fun loving shenanigan nature, you can’t help but fall in love with this band. As the song takes a turn toward the trippy and slightly erratic, you brace yourself for the inevitable explosion, and it does not disappoint. The punchy, driven drums, with their abrupt yet impactful delivery, complete the dramatic buildup of this gripping introduction. When the vocals finally hit in the interlude, it’s sheer perfection, as if the singer is being swung around at the end of a rope, their voice flying at you with feverish intensity. Then, when the drums and guitars make their triumphant return, they maintain the same tempo, yet somehow create the illusion that everything has sped up twofold. This roller coaster of sound goes full throttle, immersing you in its whirlwind effect. It’s the kind of track that could turn any space into a mosh pit, even a senior living facility.
The vocal performance is truly something powerful, piercing, and deeply emotive. The way it seamlessly aligns with the sharp, dynamic drum fills makes every beat hit even harder. The delivery is both commanding and intimate, striking that sought after balance that elevates the song’s intensity.
We especially loved the line:
“Wake up on my platform on my waaaaaayyyy to you.”
Now, we have to pause for a moment to talk about the song’s meaning. Once we read that “Millbrae Meltdown” is about the feeling of being trapped in a repetitive cycle, like waking up at the same train station over and over, mirroring a broken relationship that never truly goes anywhere, it all clicked. The song’s whirlwind effect perfectly captures this sensation of being stuck in an endless loop. It’s a masterful combination of music, production, and lyrical storytelling. One of the most brilliant touches is how the underlying feeling of exasperation seeps through in the vocal delivery. Despite its upbeat energy, the song carries a melancholic undertone, reflecting the frustration and resignation of being caught in a doomed relationship.
Getting back to music; by the third or fourth drum fill, you’re utterly hooked, you crave those rhythmic hits and just want them to keep coming. Around the midpoint, the song takes a dramatic turn with a perfectly placed interlude where the drums drop out, the vocals fade, and a deep sense of dejection takes hold. At this moment, the weight of the relationship’s exhaustion fully surfaces, making for an emotionally gripping pause before the track surges back to life.
We’re thrilled to have discovered Subak, and Millbrae Meltdown is a shining testament to their immense talent. This track marks the second installment in a series of songs recorded at a friend’s studio just north of San Francisco, a transition that represents a significant milestone for the band as they move from a home-recording setup to a professional studio environment.
Originally launched in 2020 as Jade Son’s personal bedroom-pop project, Subak has since evolved into a dynamic alt-rock band with a rotating lineup of Jade’s friends and musicians from the Bay Area music scene. Previously based in Oakland and now rooted in New York City, Subak crafts a distinctive sound that fuses lo-fi charm with polished production, blending garage rock with indie soul, and balancing raw intensity with melodic sweetness.
This level of artistry signals a bright future for Subak, and we can’t wait to follow their journey as they continue to rise.
Check out this latest release and listen to more on Spotify & YouTube
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