Sweet Mess – My Machine (2026)
In some cases, transitioning from a tribute act to an original act can be dicey. Who knows why. Perhaps nerves or uncertainty about how the original material will be received? Perhaps the band were so powerful paying homage to whichever artist they’re covering, but not so formidable when it comes to their own stuff. This is not the case with Sweet Mess. For years the group covered iconic female artists as a tribute band, then Sylvie (vocals), Fer Lopez (lead guitar), Rob Watson (bass guitar) and Michael Hayes (drums) leapt in 2018 as Sweet Mess, stepping into uncharted territory with confidence and daring.
Following their well-received singles, ‘Midnight Knows My Name’, ‘Violate The Night’ and ‘Let’s Just Go’, the Phoenix-based foursome blasts through our speakers with their new track, ‘My Machine’. Recorded and produced at Mind’s Eye Studio by Hayes and Larry Elyea, ‘My Machine’ retains the energy of 80s classic rock as Sylvie embodies the power of Joan Jett; however, the overall tune lilts with a growingly distinctive Sweet Mess sound.
Drawing influence from a rock era where lead guitar solos were mandatory and might last up to three minutes in themselves, Lopez swerves along the arrangement and piques in a thundering but simultaneously soothing crescendo of hard-hitting riffs. By no means does the solo overshadow the other instruments, including Sylvie’s honey-soaked vocals. Working in rhythmic harmony yet still offering individuality and prominence, Watson’s bold bass walks alongside Hayes’ pounding drums, presenting a hard-hitting three minutes of rock music.
The melody is weighty in itself – gritty, rugged, brash, but also sweet with a lingering seduction. The lyrics, however, make the song even more full-bodied and profound. Delving into the ageless, universal theme of, well, just living in states of seeming fabulousness but not actually enjoying the world we’re made to believe is outstanding. Sweet Mess explains: “This song is about the machine we all create and then continue to support in our lives, though our hearts and souls tell us otherwise. The ideal life, but it’s not mine!”
In addition to the single, Sweet Mess released an official lyric video for ‘My Machine’. You can view the video below and/or on their YouTube channel.
Find out more about Sweet Mess on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Listen to more rock music on The Other Side Reviews Hard Rock playlist:
