Making anthemic alternative rock, Reduction in Force was started by pop-rock singer and songwriter, Mike Mills to see if he could come up with music that passed the “test”. Creating big songs with big themes, Mike’s aim is to “reset the nostalgic clock”, and with ‘What’s Next?’, we think he’s certainly done it.
The LPs on Mike Mills’ walls show fans exactly where he’s coming from. All the classics of new wave, post-punk, and 80s and 90s alt rock are there – Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Human League, New Order, DEVO, and ‘3’, the seminal offering from Peter Gabriel. All this goes into his new single, ‘What’s Next?’, and as he builds upon the sound and feeling of the heroes that surround him, the track pretty much answers the question asked by the title.
There’s a certain sense of urgency and rebellion to Mills’ sound, with a relentless electronic beat, roaring guitar, and insistent synths, all held together with deadpan vocals, deeply reminiscent of the Second British Invasion.
The track comes with a stop motion animated music video, which sees Mills’ music room come to life, and every piece of it burning with their own story to tell. There’s the aforementioned LPs, plus film posters, mix tapes, and a Sony Sports Walkman, joining a red Fender guitar next to an acoustic, and coloured vinyl on the record player. The childhood photos show just how long he’s been wanting this, and as if to confirm, a sports page from a newspaper declares, “Dreams Do Come True”. The true star of the clip however is Norman, Mills’ childhood rat friend, a stuffed toy who is set to go out into the big wide world.
Watch the music video for ‘What’s Next?’ below, and find out more about Reduction in Force and their music online on their official website, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
