ON THE RISE
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Greek electric rock band Citizen Jim unveils their new single “Tossed Away,” blending English and Greek lyrics for the first time as they expand their reach to a worldwide audience. Charged with relevance to today’s turbulent socio-political climate, the track challenges the very systems we rely on — drawing stark parallels between schools and prisons, which can both serve as cages and spaces for learning, shaped as much by the institution as by the individual. Within this lens, “Tossed Away” digs into the brutality of primitivism, the pull of tribalism, and even stretches into a critique of anthropocentrism: the belief that humans are the central force on Earth.
“The lyrics jump from topic to topic — the absence of spirituality and esotericism, fear, ignorance, the looming specter of war, and even ecological collapse,” shared lead band member Politis Dimitris. “As far as the education system, it’s something I noticed studying psychology, and something we reflected in the lyrics: ‘schools are prisons and prisons are schools.’ Education is extremely important - in theory, it’s awesome; it seems to be the best we can do as a society. But in practice, it doesn’t always work. People can actually be turned off by it. Those who have knowledge are often isolated. On the other hand, in prison, you can still learn a lot, even though it’s a harsh environment.”
The music itself mirrors the song’s deeply inquisitive and introspective themes. “Tossed Away” takes an experimental electronic approach, with an arpeggiated bass synth forming the backbone, while the drums provide a second core layer for guitars and vocals to unfold. A standout moment comes in the mid-ambient breakdown, where spiraling echoes, reverbs, and alternating filters transform the synthesizers, before the full instrumentation gradually cycles back in and fades out, creating a layered, immersive listening experience.
“Musically, we’re always trying different things. There aren’t any tracks on the album with this direction; we only have one in this style. It starts with a rock style and then develops into an electronic sound. We’ve only done this once before, so this is the second time,” said Dimitris.
“Tossed Away” is the third single from their latest album Dreamcatcher (Oniropagida in Greek). The record mixes Greek and English songs with “Tossed Away” as a striking bilingual track, another in English, and the rest in Greek. Lyrically, it marks a notable evolution for the band, particularly given that Dreamcatcher is their sixth album, since they first began making music together in 2017.
“As far as producing, we haven’t worked with a specific producer yet — we write our own material and then go into the studio to record. It’s all independent,” continued Dimitris. “We always know the energy we’re looking for in the studio, but in the end, it all depends on the band and the choices each member makes — from the sound to the instruments. We do work with two specific engineers, and this song was recorded with the one we’ve collaborated with the most.”
The track’s video was created by artist Thetis Parmenidou and features puppetry drifting through a cosmic landscape. It blends fragmented 2D collages with a recorded puppet performance, seamlessly stitched together with visual effects and montage techniques. The result evokes archetypal storytelling, using roleplay to explore how history is remembered and interpreted.
“Thetis is incredibly talented. We trust her very much. This is the fourth video we’ve done with her. She and I brainstormed the concept and developed it together. Many of the ideas came from me, but she brought them to life, edited them, and created an entirely new world,” enthused Dimitris.
In addition to their new single, music video, and latest album, the band is keeping busy with a packed schedule. They have a festival coming up in Athens, Greece, in just two weeks, a mini-tour in Japan this November, and two more concerts before the end of the year — including a release show in December. On top of that, they’re already planning a European tour for as early as spring 2026.
Citizen Jim was started by Politis Dimitris, who serves as the band’s lyricist and second guitarist. “Citizen” reflects both a personal and collective desire to engage with social issues, while “Jim” hints at the band’s global outlook, drawing from the anglicized version of Dimitris. What began as Dimitris’s solo project has since evolved into a full-fledged band, rounded out by a lead guitarist, bassist, drummer, and keyboardist, each contributing to the group’s dynamic and eclectic sound.
On what he hopes listeners take away from his music, Dimitris offered a thoughtful reflection: “I hope to make people think about something they wouldn’t have before listening to the song. I don’t want to make people feel depressed — I hope it’s more of a positive engagement than a negative one. Art for art’s sake is fine; sometimes I enjoy something light, like a comedic movie. But I believe it’s more important to create art that feeds the soul and helps you grow as a person.”
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TrueMendous describes her debut album as the best project she has ever created, and she’s eager for fans to finally hear it. Misdiagnosis of Chyvonne Johnson, released on April 1, marks a major step forward for the Birmingham artist after building momentum through a series of EPs and mixtapes.
“I’d never created an album before,” she shared. “I had to make sure it stood apart from everything I’ve released in the past. Listening to it from start to finish, I feel like it’s stronger than anything I’ve made so far. Everything about it is on another level. All the elements made it better.”
That vision extends beyond the music itself. From the visuals for the new tracks to the album artwork designed by Father of Cain—which also appears on new merch—every detail has been carefully considered. Although the writing process wrapped up months ago and the final mixes were completed last summer, taking time to plan the rollout proved valuable.
“It’s frustrating to sit on music, but it makes me even more excited to release it,” she explained. “It’s good, too, because I get to plan the music videos properly and figure out the best way to put it out there.”
The album was shaped by a mix of Birmingham-based producers and collaborators from her label, High Focus. “It’s great to have a team that pushes and supports you,” she said. “They help amplify your voice without making it feel toxic or stifling.”
The album title is inspired by Lauryn Hill, one of her biggest storytelling influences. Following the success of her 2020 HUH? EP, expectations are high. That EP led to unexpected opportunities—Adidas used the beat from “Sweetheart” in a campaign, while “Hmm” landed on the FIFA 21 soundtrack. She also appeared in major ads for Pepsi Max and McVities.
This time, she’s aiming for more film placements. “‘Cause A Scene,’ which has an animated music video, would be perfect for a wild fight scene,” she said. The track kicks off the 17-song record, which blends rap, R&B, and pop, showcasing her versatility. “I’m a bit of a chameleon,” she explained. “I love adapting to different sounds.”
She even made the tough decision to remove some songs from the final tracklist for the first time. The result is a mix that ranges from the nine-minute “Selfish Behaviour” to a 99-second burst of energy on “You Don’t Wanna.” “I don’t plan song lengths—it just feels right,” she said. “When the lyrics ended with the beat, it felt like the perfect close.”
This variety keeps listeners engaged, appealing to fans who enjoy both long, intricate stories and quick, punchy tracks. “If you’re good enough as an artist, it doesn’t matter how long the song is,” she added. “If Drake put out a 30-minute song, people wouldn’t just stop listening halfway.”
Lyrically, the album blends her personal experiences with stories inspired by friends and documentaries, creating a unique and heartfelt perspective. “My older songs were all story-based,” she said. “I used to tell other people’s stories through my voice as a narrator. It’s only in the last two years that I’ve started opening up more about myself.”
The final track, “Yvonne’s Daughter,” is her most personal yet. For someone who admits, “I don’t reveal anything about anything,” it’s a raw look at her relationship with her mother. Family ties keep her grounded in Birmingham, even as her career grows in London.
“Birmingham’s slower than London,” she reflected. “It doesn’t lack talent—it just needs to be seen and heard. London has the labels, A&Rs, and events. I go back to Birmingham to slow down.”
That calm may not last long, with more projects in the pipeline and global ambitions ahead. She’s particularly excited about performing in places where fans don’t speak English but still know the lyrics.
“More than anything, I just want the album to do well,” she said. “I know how much effort went into it, and it’s a really good project. I’m confident and comfortable with it, and I can’t wait to see how people respond.”
Misdiagnosis of Chyvonne Johnson by TrueMendous is out now on High Focus Records.
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