Otto Reitano's solo debut, "On My Mind," is an achingly sweet diary and a deep examination of love and yearning. You are engaged in a tender world: ethereal songs float over softly woven piano keys and patches of space that are both close and vast. As it progresses, the track becomes something much denser, introducing sounds that are as surprising as they are entrancing.
Mixed by Jack Prest, who has worked with heavy hitters including Skrillex, Flume, and ASAP Rocky, "On My Mind" strikes a balance between electro-inflected beats and downtempo ambiance. It's polished, crafted reggae pop, but it somehow still retains a warmth and authenticity that ground the chorus. Every synth, every beat sounds judiciously placed, reflecting Otto's dedication not only to music but also to the life he's building with his wife. Entirely written, performed, and produced in the Petersham home he shares with his partner, Otto's debut is a labour of love.
The pair is due to have their first child this November, and "On My Mind" is an intimate snapshot of feeling grateful for a quiet moment before the inevitable storm. It's intimate, personal, without being exclusive, and it invites you into Otto's world while allowing them to reflect on their own experiences of love and anticipation. "On My Mind" is an invitation to inhabit an emotionally rich world as painstakingly constructed as any blockbuster. Any notion that debut releases feel especially vulnerable or ambitious on these counts is both proven and facilitated by Otto Reitano, who turns private devotion into public art.