Scott's Song by Song #69: Andy Toomey - Mayday
Welcome to issue #69 of Scott’s Song By Song (#scottssongbysong).For more information about this series, click here:
Andy Toomey is back at it again! I have reviewed his last 3 releases, but this one is a departure from what he calls the “Touch Guitar Trilogy”. The first of those (but not his first album) was 2024’s “Perseus Calling” recorded with The Stick Men (Markus Reuter, Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto). The next two, “Masterpiece” and “Crank” were both released in 2025 and also involved Markus Reuter and other notable players. (Click the “Andy Toomey” label on this blog to find those reviews.)
But Andy can’t stay in one musical place for too long. This new release is appropriately scheduled for release on May 1, 2026, as it is titled “Mayday”. This time, he collaborated with Blogger Jessica Hagy, of http://www.thisisindexed.com/ fame, which she has been publishing for 20 years. Go check it out, it’s unique and thought-provoking using graphs and diagrams that she’s handwritten on index cards. According to Andy, the proper credits for the album are “Music by Andy Toomey, Lyrics by Jessica Hagy, and vocal processing by ElevenLabs.” Essentially, he has taken clips from a movie that she created called “Doomstruck” (under the apparent pseudonym J. Fair which can be streamed on https://pickrelay.com/app/t/6td6-wzdw ) and turned them into short songs. I have not yet seen the film. The summary of the movie is as follows:
–Begin Quote–
Feels like the end of the world is just getting started. The apocalypse is professionally explained and shamefully excused by a spinelessly corporate narrator, who may or may not be a figment of your imagination.
–End Quote–
Andy initially didn’t think I’d be interested in this one as it is not as obviously “prog” like his 3 previous releases. But, as I told him, I see prog as a broad umbrella term with many sub-genres, and more of a state of mind. So, while he terms it "acidic electro funk", it certainly seems to come from a progressive, artistic mindset. Andy provided me with the files for the review, but I receive no other compensation. Andy expects my straight up opinion, no matter what, and I always call it like I hear it. As usual, this is a cold listen. Also, Andy is listed as a contributor to this blog (see the post explaining that), but it is only for technical assistance, although, as of yet, he has been so busy in his own projects, he understandably hasn’t had the time to help me with that.
With all of the explanations and disclaimers out of the way, let's get to the fun part–the music!
Track 1 - “Legacy (Not One Bit) (3:06)
A fat synth and drumbeat start us off here. I believe the spoken voice is from the movie. I love the groove! This is not unlike what Public Service Broadcasting does in their music (see the Spotlight/In Focus link to the article I wrote for DPRP.net). I love how Andy has coordinated the rhythm of the music with the rhythm of the phrase “not one bit”. This is a very cool track! If it is indicative of what is to come, I think I will quite enjoy the rest of the album.
Track 2 - “News” (3:10)
This one is slower and funkier. This time there is a female character being quoted. The theme of the move/album is similar to Arjen J. Lucassen’s brilliant “The Songs No One Will Hear” released last year (reviewed on the blog, as well), but very different musically from that. Despite the funky groove, the dialog is chilling. I am loving this album so far. I wouldn’t be mad if he expanded some of the arrangements and made the songs longer.
Track 3 - “Affliction” (2:23)
An up-tempo drum machine groove and super-cool fuzz bass initiates the “festivities” here. As I said, I have not seen the movie, but it seems incredibly chilling. I don’t know if Andy is familiar with Public Service Broadcasting, but this is in a similar vein, as mentioned. Another very well executed track.
Track 4 - “Folklore” (3:21)
This music keeps my head bopping! The line “this is the kind of thing…they make religions out of” instantly reminded me of one of the all-time best YouTube videos “History of the Entire World (I Guess)” created by Bill Wurtz. (https://youtu.be/xuCn8ux2gbs) If you know, you know. The character in this one has some thought-provoking statements that Andy has seamlessly timed with his funky grooves. Another great track!
Track 5 - Medicine (3:27)
As Stevie Wonder and Theo Huxtable told us long ago on a show that we no longer mention by name, this song is “Jammin’ on the ONE”. The big bass note hits strong on the first beat of every measure. I am digging the fuzz bass for sure. Wow, the quote “The only cure for birth is death” hits hard. Another standout line: “Crying is a tragic waste of perfectly useful electrolytes” ...YIKES. There is also a nice funky guitar lick near the end of the track that I enjoyed. And the hits just keep on coming!
Track 6 - Politics (2:32)
This one has the timing of the movie quotes coming off in a rap-like manner, like one might hear on a 21 Pilots track (see my spotlight on them, too–I find them to be quite progressive in their own way). I love the line “This was not an act of war, it was an act of incompetence”, as it applies to a certain situation we are having to deal with now. There is a nice, syncopated drum machine beat driving the track with some tasty guitar and synth lines underneath the dialog.
Track 7 - Greed (3:00)
This one has a meter of 3. The character in this one makes me want to say “Shut-up Karen!”. I like the synth parts around 1:25 or so. I don’t know how she fits into the movie, but she is insufferable. The track, though, is very well done!
Track 8 - Hatred (2:58)
This one has an ominous tone. Jeez, this woman might even be worse than the previous one. Trigger warning, she is spewing a bunch of racist vitriol. Of course, I don’t think we are meant to like her. I do think that Andy’s music matches her vile attitude in its intentional harshness. In other words, he did a great job of conveying the ugliness of what she is saying. Perhaps Andy has a future in writing soundtracks for independent art films?
Track 9 - Anarchy (3:09)
Before I even started listening, I heard Judd Nelson in my head from “The Breakfast Club” as John Bender shouting “It’ll be anarchy!”. Sorry, my Gen X is showing. This one has a fast, off-beat tempo. The bass line is reminiscent of reggae. I imagine that the apocalypse would indeed lead to anarchy. The line “well, at least I won’t ever have to show up for work again” certainly sums it up. Another well-done track.
Track 10 - Judgement (2:10)
A syncopated hip-hop beat brings the final track in. “Here we are in this doom spiral” and “I hope all of the ammo has been used-up so I can go outside without getting my face blown-off by some dirtbag catalytic converter thief with no pants on” are some of the highlights of the movie dialog.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:
This album was incredibly well-executed and very engaging, despite, or perhaps because of the dark subject matter. Without beating a dead horse, if you like Public Service Broadcasting’s music, you should definitely check this one out, even though the subject matter is darker than they normally take on. Don’t take that to mean that this isn’t a very creative project; it certainly is! And yes, I do indeed find this to be a very progressive album. If this album is anything at all like the related film, it is quite a disturbingly, thought-provoking piece of art. Andy Toomey really brought the ideas to life in a musical format, and I have to say a big “well-done”! That said, I couldn't listen to it all of the time because I need something not so dark more often than not, despite the fact that I absolutely loved it. 4.5 out of 5 stars or 90%. I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that a portion of the proceeds when you purchase the album will go to the ACLU to fight injustice.
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Prog On!
Scott
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LINK FOR LISTENING/BUYING:
His Bandcamp page has it for pre-order for only $10.00 with three tracks available to listen now:
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