Canberra’s Ben Rankin released “Rewind” on January 9th, the second single from his fifth studio album, In Memoriam, which is set for release on February 27th. The 22-year-old singer-songwriter teamed up with local Canberra artist Machine on a Break for this one. Machine on a Break contributed to the song’s writing, provided guest vocals, and added synth layers. He records everything DIY in his home studio, and “Rewind” pulls from Asking Alexandria, I Prevail, Sleep Token, and Bring Me The Horizon. The track deals with someone coming back into your life after doing horrible things and pushing them away, realising why you wanted to keep them out in the first place. It’s about confronting past demons and the complexities of relationships.
The collaboration with “Machine on a Break” really changed things up. Having someone else in the mix who shares the same influences made the writing smooth, and you can hear that in how the track flows. The guest vocals add another layer without cluttering the sound, and the synth work gives the song a modern edge that sits well alongside the heavier elements. The track doesn’t try to replicate the bands he’s pulling from but uses them as a foundation to build something that feels personal rather than derivative.
Rankin’s been working through mental health themes across his catalogue, and “Rewind” fits that pattern while exploring the specific pain of toxic relationships resurfacing. For fans of Asking Alexandria, Black Veil Brides, I Prevail, The Devil Wears Prada, or Avenged Sevenfold, there’s something here. With In Memoriam dropping in February, the aggressive side Rankin’s been hinting at is starting to take shape.
