We Speak Music
The Reckless Delivers Masterful Tune ‘Sexy Back’
In the ever-evolving landscape of modern music, few bands manage to leave a lasting impact by reinterpreting classics in ways that both honour the original and introduce something entirely new. The Reckless, a rising force in the San Diego music scene, achieves this with aplomb in their latest release—a rock-infused rendition of Justin Timberlake’s iconic R&B hit, “SexyBack.” This reimagining exemplifies the band’s ability to blend the raw energy of rock with the slick allure of contemporary pop, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and exhilarating.
Imagine the sultry beats of “SexyBack,” now electrified with chunky guitar hooks and propulsive drum beats. The Reckless brings a fresh, exhilarating twist to Timberlake’s classic, infusing it with their signature rock attitude. Fayman’s intense vocals elevate the track, providing a powerful and unforgettable edge that makes this cover stand out in a sea of remixes. The band’s approach is not merely a homage; it’s a reinvention that captures the spirit of the original while injecting it with a high-octane rock dynamism.
Formed during the Covid-19 pandemic, The Reckless emerged from a period of global uncertainty as a beacon of creative resilience. What began as a private creative outlet for guitarist, singer, and songwriter Fritz Fayman soon blossomed into a larger vision. Fayman’s potential extended far beyond his individual scope, leading to the dynamic formation of The Reckless. The band’s guitar-driven force is bolstered by John Kelly’s lightning-fast licks, Michael Kennedy’s melodic bass runs, and Riku Myllykoski’s rhythmic dynamo, each member bringing their unique flair to the collective sound.
The Reckless’ self-titled debut album solidified their place in the rock genre, showcasing their catchy rhythms and pulse-pounding energy. Tracks like “Get In A Fight” and “Darling Please” exemplify their ability to craft infectious rock anthems, while “Get Loud” raises the stakes with its raucous intensity. Each song on the album is a testament to the band’s cohesive synergy and their knack for blending raw emotion with technical prowess.
As they reinterpret “SexyBack,” fans can expect a classic reborn into a guitar-driven juggernaut. The Reckless transforms Timberlake’s smooth, seductive groove into a high-energy rock anthem, marked by Fayman’s searing vocals and the band’s robust instrumentation. This cover is not just a reinterpretation; it’s a redefinition that showcases The Reckless’ ability to innovate within the framework of established hits.
The Reckless is more than just a band; they are game-changers who blend retro rock with today’s soundtrack, transforming stages with their raw energy and infectious covers. As they continue to push boundaries and shatter the status quo, The Reckless is poised to leave an indelible mark on the music industry. With their dynamic reimagining of “SexyBack,” they invite fans old and new to join them on a journey where classic meets contemporary, and where the energy of rock music is amplified to exhilarating new heights.
Get ready for The Reckless, a band that embodies the spirit of innovation and the power of rock, redefining what it means to bring sexy back.
We Speak Music
Acclaimed US singer-songwriter Juliet Lloyd to tour the UK for the first time this summer.

Shortly after releasing her sophomore album in 2007, US-based singer-songwriter Juliet Lloyd walked away from music completely for more than 10 years, feeling burned out and unhappy with her career progression like so many other independent artists. After going through a divorce in 2019 and in the midst of a global pandemic, she found herself pulled back toward the siren call of songwriting and again making the leap to pursue it full time. Her latest album ‘Carnival’, released in 2024, is in many ways the culmination of those decisions, and the reintroduction of an artist who now has the wisdom of experience.
There’s an unmistakable urgency you can feel when a song is written and performed from a place of complete honesty. That feeling permeates ‘Carnival’. “I’ve always been envious of writers who say they write songs because they have to, because they had these things they just had to get out of themselves,” Juliet says. “I had never really felt that way until this album. I’ve become someone who writes because they have to.”
Stylistically, ‘Carnival’ draws on a range of influences from Laurel Canyon-era singer/songwriters, to Lilith Fair rockers, to confessional country/folk balladeers, to indie pop. The central theme of the record and that of its title track is not being too precious about any one experience or decision. Take them for what they are, live in the moment, and move on when they’re done. It acknowledges also that memory can be subjective, and ambiguous—was an experience ultimately a good thing or a bad thing? And whose memory can you rely on to determine the answer to that question?
‘Carnival’ doesn’t just deal with the complexities of ending relationships, it also deals with all the feelings that come with moving on. The album’snine songs feature evocative storytelling that reveals a simple truth: when the carnival inevitably leaves town, you’re left with an empty parking lot. And how you remember, it is a choice. As Juliet sings in the title track, “If only there was a way you could bottle up that feeling / and you’d drink it in / when the days are short and you long.”
Across her 20+ year career, Juliet has been admittedly stylistically non-monogamous. Her first full-length album, ‘All Dressed Up’, was released in 2005 and was heavily jazz-influenced- a label that she rejected at the time. “I am a piano player and a woman, so I was immediately compared to Norah Jones—and I bristled at that,” Juliet says. “Listening back now, I can totally see that it was true, and it of course wasn’t a bad thing.” Her follow-up release ‘Leave the Light On,’ came out two years later and featured a slick piano-pop production that led to five of its songs being placed on reality TV shows on MTV and VH1. Coming back after her 10-year break from writing and recording, Juliet released ‘High Road’, a collection of five Americana/soul-tinged songs produced by Jim Ebert (Meredith Brooks, Shai) that earned her widespread recognition and songwriting awards both in her home region of DC as well as nationally.
Now with her first ever UK tour scheduled for July 2025, Juliet has also dropped a completely brand-new single ‘Wild Again’, which like ‘Carnival’, was written with and produced by Todd Wright (Lucy Woodward, Butch Walker, Toby Lightman). ‘Wild Again’, however, charts yet another new step in Juliet’s journey.
“Carnival’, is full of deeply personal songs that are drawn from my real-life experiences and relationships. Coming out of that album cycle, I was feeling a little exhausted by my own navel-gazing and I was craving inspiration elsewhere. So, a lot of the songs I’m writing now are an evolution of sorts – focused more on external stimuli and finding the personal stories and humanity in that. Wild Again is a perfect example of this,” she explains.
The idea for ‘Wild Again’ was born out of a NY Times podcast Juliet listened to about the real-life efforts to return the whale that played Willy in the iconic movie ‘Free Willy’ back into the wild.
“It’s an insane, heartbreaking story that asks all kinds of thorny questions about human responsibility and humility and what’s the “right” thing to do and is that the same as the “kind” thing to do. There was a line that one of the trainers said in the podcast, explaining that they were trying to “train him to be wild again.” The complete absurdity of that statement hit me in the moment, and I immediately started jotting down lyrical ideas”, Juliet says.
Catch Juliet Lloyd on her UK tour this July:
1st July: The Folklore Rooms / Brighton
2nd July: The Hyde Tavern / Winchester
3rd July: Hen and Chicken / Bristol (CRH Music promotions)
4th July: Artisan Tap Hartshill / Stoke-on-Trent
5th July: Waggon & Horses, Nottingham
6th July: Cafe#9 / Sheffield
7th July: Hyde Park Book Club / Leeds
10th July: FortyFive Vinyl Café / York
11th July: The Muddy Puddle / London
13th July: The Wrotham Arms / Broadstairs

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