motel void

Jovi Skyler is an Australian DIY musician who draws inspiration primarily from the raw, unfiltered sound of the 1990s—punk, alternative rock, and garage aesthetics. His discography already includes several singles, EPs, and a full-length album, Nothing to Do, released in 2023. Last year, he expanded his catalog with a four-track EP titled Call It A Day, which continues to refine his distinctive sonic identity.

His songs are straightforward and stripped-down, with a lo-fi garage production that adds to their gritty charm. The opening track, Asshole, immediately brought to mind Colleen Green and a performance I once saw at the OFF Festival in Poland years ago. However, as an opener, Asshole didn’t resonate with me as much as the following tracks—it has a catchy chorus, reminiscent of Guided by Voices from the early 2000s—but the best was yet to come.

One of the most striking moments on the EP is the next track Lil Bo Weep. Before playing the track, I had little knowledge of who Lil Bo Weep was—a young Australian YouTuber and musician who passed away a few years ago. The song’s accompanying video immediately reminded me of another gone-too-soon artist, Lil Peep, both in its aesthetic and emotional weight. The combination of the evocative visuals and the haunting atmosphere makes this the most powerful song on the EP.

My personal favorite, however, is Frankenstein, where Skyler leans more into psychedelia. The rawness remains, but the intensity dials down slightly, allowing for a more atmospheric experience. The track is accompanied by a surreal music video, filmed inside a music shop (with Skyler wearing a face mask) and interwoven with shots of a cat, creating an oddly psychedelic effect. The song itself is catchy and beautiful in its simplicity—having recently listened to a lot of The Decemberists, I couldn’t help but feel a strong connection between Frankenstein and their work in terms of mood and storytelling.

The EP closes with Rumble, a track that feels like a fusion of early White Stripes and Nirvana. From the very start, it kicks in with a heavy, driving rock riff, underscored by eerie visuals that incorporate scenes from Twin Peaks, amplifying the song’s unsettling atmosphere. There’s a palpable sense of unease throughout—particularly in the chorus, where the repeated “rumble, rumble” evokes a 1970s rock energy. Combined with the dark, almost oppressive visuals, Rumble is an intense and almost exhausting listen—both sonically and visually.

Call It A Day is energetic, catchy, emotive and fun—simply put, a job well done.

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