Reduction in Force’s “What’s Next?”: Alt-Rock Debut Channels New Wave & Post-Punk
Step inside the mind of singer and songwriter Mike Mills with “What’s Next?,” the powerful debut single from his project, Reduction in Force. The track is a meticulously crafted sound rooted in three decades of musical devotion, a true convergence of the past and a future envisioned years ago. Mills doesn’t just make music; he creates a three-dimensional map of his musical DNA, drawing heavily from the golden age of New Wave and Post-Punk.
This is more than just a song; it’s a testament to a vision—a future built on transformation. “What’s Next?” blends the mystery, reflection, and urgency of the classics he loves, offering a comprehensive and deeply personal introduction to an artist ready to claim his space in the world of Alt-Rock.
The DNA of a Vision: Depeche Mode, The Smiths & New Order
The sonic identity of Reduction in Force is proudly displayed on the walls of Mills’ studio. He covers his space with classics from the Second British Invasion and the golden age of college radio: Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Human League, New Order, and Peter Gabriel. From this rich DNA comes “What’s Next?”—a track that builds upon the sound and feeling of his musical heroes while injecting a completely modern attitude.
The song features the genre’s signature elements: a slashing overdriven six-string guitar, a throbbing synthesizer, a relentless electronic beat, and magnetic, deadpan vocals. It’s a compelling sonic update of the sound that dominated alternative radio in the ’80s and ’90s.
A Stop-Motion Underdog Story: The “What’s Next?” Video
The stop-motion animated music video for “What’s Next?” is as unique as the song itself. It features the artist’s home studio coming alive, where every object—from mix tapes and colored vinyl to Fillmore posters—testifies to his lifelong devotion. The video’s true protagonist is a stuffed rat named Norman—a dear childhood relic.
Mills sets this underdog upon the big world. What Norman achieves over three minutes is nothing less than confronting, transcending, and incorporating a fortress of memories into a new life—a transformation fueled by rock music. The video, like the track itself, marks Reduction in Force as completely modern. The underlying yearning for human connection that radiates from the song makes it unmistakably of our times, proving that a distant vision guided by guitars, synths, and the undeniable power of Alt-Rock can finally become reality.
Discover the compelling sound and vision of Mike Mills and Reduction in Force. Don’t miss the striking stop-motion music video for their debut single, “What’s Next?”
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