Mello Talk – ‘Head Games’

With influences including The 1975 and Arctic Monkeys, Austin Higney’s pseudonym Mello Talk is his platform for writing compelling, coming of age anthems. His track, ‘Head Games’ is reminscent of Tame Impala and M83, and is a song about unrequited love.

Austin Higney, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been making music since he was in middle school, getting together with friends to have jam sessions. Although his friends moved on to different things, Austin stuck with music, saying “I just couldn’t drop it”. Over the years, his songwriting “gradually evolved into something I began to get such a passion for.”

Through Mello Talk, Higney creates mellow alternative music, and ‘Head Games’ is a track about having feelings for someone who’s taken by someone else, and at the same time watching them go through a cycle of terrible relationships. He’s caught up in someone else’s head games, and knows he can offer more – but at the same time, can’t get involved.

The video for ‘Head Games’ was filmed in Fort Lauderdale, and shows Austin watching as his love interest makes the same mistakes over and over, with a man who doesn’t treat her right. He asks, “What do you want from love, what are you looking for?/ It’s not over there, I’m right here.” He tries to be there for her – but as she gets caught up in arguments, and swept away by the wrong man, Austin is instead caught up in the pouring rain. It’s a beautiful video and a moving song.

‘Head Games’ is available to download and stream from Apple Music and Spotify. Find Mello Talk online on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Mello Talk - Head games

About the author

Lisa has been writing for over 20 years, starting as the entertainment editor on her university newspaper. Since then she's written for Popwrapped, Maximum Pop, Celebmix, and ListenOnRepeat.

Lisa loves all good music, with particular fondness for Jedward and David Bowie. She's interviewed Edward Grimes (Jedward), Kevin Godley, Trevor Horn, Paul Young, Peter Cox (Go West), Brendan B Brown (Wheatus), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), among many many more. Lisa is also available for freelance writing - please email lisa@essentiallypop.com

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