From their forthcoming EP, Holly Wholesome and the Slut Machine, Fake Dad’s latest single, “ON/OFF” is a grunge-inspired outcry that channels the visceral experience of being overwhelmed and overstimulated in today’s hyper-connected world. The Los Angeles duo, known for their narrative-driven approach, has crafted a song that feels raw and immediate and draws one into a whirlwind of frustration and emotional burnout.
Andrea de Varona’s haunting vocal delivery is the centrepiece, oscillating between moments of quiet dissociation and eruptive anger. Her voice mirrors the internal tug-of-war described in the song. From feeling everything all at once to feeling absolutely nothing. Sparse melodies and airy tones dominate the verses and evoke a dissociative haze that perfectly captures the numb monotony of doom scrolling and serotonin burnout. When the chorus crashes in, it’s a cathartic release of bottled-up rage, amplified by Jeff Frantom’s searing guitar work, which lends the track its grunge edge.
Andrea explains that “ON/OFF” emerged from a period of emotional paralysis, with time bleeding together and the overwhelming noise of the modern world refusing to relent. The song’s stark vulnerability and explosive energy offers both a mirror to shared struggles and a momentary escape.
