The New Citizen Kane (TNCK) has returned for his third appearance on our site, and this time, he’s not just releasing an album; he’s launching a multi-sensory universe. “Psychedelika pt.1” is an incredible, 59-minute, 17-track exceptional work that skilfully pairs Funk, IDM, Synth Pop, and Alternative Pop. This project is a brilliant example of modern craftsmanship, demonstrating that great philosophical depth and commercial accessibility don’t have to be at odds.
Set to be completed by Part 2 in late 2026, Psychedelika pt.1 is, as TNCK describes, an album about “journeys inward and outward — a trip through chaos, clarity, denial, desire, and ultimately renewal.” It is a sonic ecosystem that explores the anxieties of modern life, the complexities of love, and the essential battle for creative freedom. The album unfolds like a shifting soundscape, moving impeccably from club-ready highs to stark, unguarded moments of self-revelation.
Tracks like “Ratbag Joy” showcase this duality perfectly. Lyrically, the song tackles the darkness of the nightlife scene— “chasing highs, numbing emptiness, mistaking escape for joy”—but the music is “bouncy, relentless, uplifting.” This juxtaposition is a deliberate and brilliant move, allowing the buoyant beat to become the mask we wear to dance through our own destruction.
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TNCK’s strength lies in transforming deep personal turmoil into universal anthems. “My Muse,” the first song written after a decade-long hiatus fueled by anxiety and the pursuit of superficial success, is the album’s spiritual anchor. The track is about rebirth, realizing that inspiration “doesn’t come from chasing approval — it comes from showing up vulnerably, from letting life itself be the muse.” This vulnerability is echoed powerfully on “Afterglow,” written in the midst of anxiety, where TNCK shares the moment of breakthrough: “The light that lingers when the fire burns out. The fragile, glowing reminder that even after pain, there’s still beauty.”
The album doesn’t shy away from conflict. “Bite the Bullet” is described as a “ripped-out journal entry,” a stark, raw confrontation with the end of a long-term relationship. It’s the “wound” of the album, reminding the listener that no matter how kaleidoscopic the sonic world gets, the human heart still breaks the old-fashioned way. In contrast, “Push The Fear Out” is social commentary wrapped in an uplifting dance track with a tango undertone. TNCK reminds us that prejudice is driven by fear, which builds “monsters” in our heads. The song’s defiant optimism, amplified by a playful, surreal video, proves that “the monsters were never that scary, once you pushed the fear out.”
Other standout tracks include the moody, disco-infused “WELL, DAMN! HERE YOU ARE” (a spiritual sibling to “Subconscious”), which captures the turmoil of a toxic, recurring cycle with the catchy, relatable refrain: “You’re goody goody, gosh, but you’re bad bad bad for me.” This is songwriting maturity, blending introspection with infectious melody. The conceptual depth extends through tracks like “As Within, So Without” (on seeking ourselves in others), “Here, Now” (a meditation on presence), and the opener, “Welcome to Psychedelika,” an invocation into this new dimension.
Crucially, TNCK has created a direct-to-fan universe. Releasing the album a month early via his own Citizen Records label, fans who purchase the physical or digital release unlock the Psychedelika app—a companion ecosystem featuring a full visual album, synesthesia-inspired games, a mindfulness suite, and direct journal updates. Psychedelika pt.1 is not just a collection of songs; it’s an ambitious, essential work that merges philosophy, pop, and technology, cementing The New Citizen Kane as a truly innovative force deserving of global recognition.
