From the moment I woke up on Aug. 22, there was only one thing on my mind. As my friend and I impatiently sat on my couch, I reloaded the Spotify tab on my computer, eyes brimming with anticipation. Dominic Fike’s long-awaited mixtape, “Rocket,” had finally been released.
The mixtape is a collection of 12 songs, with more than half of the songs having been sung live, teased or leaked previously. After multiple years of listening to the songs on Soundcloud, YouTube or even voice memos, hearing the fully polished version felt like a gift.
Within the first few seconds of the opening track, “All Hands on Deck,” I was astonished by the melancholic sounds of layered vocals and soft synths, a sound Fike usually does not embrace.
As I continued listening closely to Fike’s lyrics, I was again surprised to hear a softer and more vulnerable side from him. Right from the start, “Rocket” feels uniquely experimental in contrast to Fike’s alternative-rock and indie music.
Additionally, the mixtape molds into a form of self-reflection as Fike sings about previous relationships, faults and family, adding to the nostalgic mood of “Rocket.” While listening, I found myself relating to the topics Fike was singing about, with old emotions resurfacing.
Throughout the mixtape, Fike maintains a cohesive theme with his lyrics, but uses multiple genres to express different feelings. In the track “$500 Fine,” Fike vulnerably sings “If I didn’t f*ck it up the first time, or the third time” to a playful, light-hearted drumming pattern.
Although known for his strong guitar skills, Fike emphasizes his vocal production in this mixtape. Fike’s vocals on “Great Pretender” sound exactly the same on the record as they do live, with long-standing riffs and voice-straining passion. The song has a beautiful chorus, with steady drums that build throughout the song, creating a catchy rhythm alongside its lyrics.
As my listening experience came to an end, my one hope was that “Rocket” would feature the song “No Backstory.” I had first heard the song when it was teased in a promotional video for his tour back in 2023, but it never featured on an album since. Finishing the album as the twelfth track, “No Backstory” was renamed to “Still Feel It.”
The nostalgic and warm feel of the song washed over me, and I was instantly brought back to the summer when I first heard it. My friend and I happily sobbed as we listened to the one song we had always wanted. It was a truly surreal moment and definitely a core memory.
Reminiscing on previous relationships and old projects, Fike successfully conveyed a sentimental feel that had me reflecting on my own experiences as well. As my friend and I discussed the “Aftermath,” we mutually felt a weight of gratitude for his music.
Fike’s mixtape creates a comfortable space that allows for honesty and connection. Whether it is driving to the beach blasting his music or sharing AirPods while listening to him, Fike brings us together through “Rocket.” It is a beautifully nostalgic piece that is truly out of this world.
