maxime.’s happy go lucky sound takes a fretful turn on "rubber checks"

Following his 2020 sophomore album cerulean, maxime. is back with his new single “rubber checks”, which expands on the Montreal-based producer’s playful yet aggressive sound. Punchy and distorted drums lay front-and-centre on the track, with maxime’s laid-back lyrics and delivery highlighting the troubles of moving to a new city - a worthy expansion of the technicolour-drenched world he continues to immerse listeners in. While he’s taking on a different sound, the crunchy vintage synths and gooey guitars maxime is known for haven’t taken a back seat as he pushes forward on his musical journey.

Speaking about the track, maxime shares “The idea for "rubber checks" came to me when I was listening to a podcast and heard the term for the first time. I thought it was a cool lil phrase for bad checks that bounce. Since I’ve just recently decided to do the music thing full time and moved to a new city, money has been a little tight, and I’ve been paying rent by cheque.”

“The rest of the song is more or less a patchwork journal entry reflecting on the time in my life I wrote it. I talk about being in a new city where you don’t know anyone and touch on relationships etc. I really wanted to capture a happy go lucky feeling with the song.”

"rubber checks" also acts as the title track for his new EP, which arrives via Overcast on 21 July and sees the producer taking on a number of different soundscapes, as well as a more fresh and direct approach to songwriting - moving away from his more conceptual songs from his 2019 debut album whatevernowiscalled and cerulean - which saw the artist pushing himself lyrically.

“I'm super proud of this project,” maxime says about the new EP. “Sonically I feel it’s the most consistent piece of work I've ever put out. Every song has its own unique feeling and motifs I love and I try some new things I haven't before while still staying true to what I feel is my sound.”

“Lyrically I'm quite happy with this piece of work as well. While still being more or less a diary of my life at the time of writing the songs, I've decided to be a bit more explicit with the lyrics this time instead of writing vaguely. I mention particular places and people and situations and I feel that honesty is something pretty neat!”

Having made space for himself in a saturated anti-pop scene, "rubber checks" is yet another peek into the exciting, synth-driven pop paradise that maxime basks in.