Duncan Lloyd continues to impress with his new track “Rituals”, giving us another exciting preview of his upcoming solo album “Unwound”. Best known as the guitarist and founding member of Maximo Park, Lloyd steps into the spotlight with a song that feels gentle but powerful in its own way. “Rituals” sounds like a modern pop tune, but with a deeper, more emotional layer. The production is raw yet detailed, creating a sound that feels both fresh and classic. Lloyd’s vocals are soft and emotional, matching the deeply personal lyrics. The song is about habits—both good and bad—and about trying to help someone heal. It feels like a message to someone close, filled with care and honesty. What makes the song really stand out is its structure. The rhythm changes subtly, like gentle waves, while the chords repeat in a circle, giving it a hypnotic, flowing feel. Lloyd describes it as sounding like multiple broken radios playing the same song, with only one coming through clearly. That strange but beautiful idea fits the mood of the track perfectly. Even though “Rituals” might be the catchiest song on “Unwound”, it doesn’t follow the usual pop formula. It’s more about feeling and atmosphere than big choruses or obvious hooks. Thoughtful and creative, this song shows a different, more personal side of Lloyd—and it makes us curious to hear the full album.
♦ 7,5/10
Dimitris Zacharopoulos
