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.”
Follow Citizen Jim at the links below:
ON THE RISE
Houston artist Skyve knows what it feels like to carry weight you didn't realize was yours. His latest single, "Eternal Time," released July 7th, moves fast and hits harder with under two minutes of guitar-forward energy that somehow manages to feel upbeat and contemplative at once. There's a throwback quality to it, too; the pacing and chord choices carry a distinctly 90s sensibility, the kind of arrangement that trusts a hook to land without over-explaining itself.
Skyve drifts easily between rapping and singing, carrying the song with an unhurried confidence. It's a track about the people and patterns we hold onto long after they've stopped serving us and the strange, freeing ache of finally setting them down.
"It's about taking a step back and finding the things in people that are holding you back or hurting you, and you don't realize it at first," says Skyve. "It's hard to let go of those things and those people, but it will make you a better person."
Born Stryker Johnson, Skyve has been building toward this moment since childhood: making beats on an iPad before he could drive, then on his phone, and eventually in FL Studio, where he landed three years ago. He's 19 now wth “Eternal Time” marking his 11th project, but the first he's genuinely proud of, the kind of song he finds himself coming back to on his own time.
True to his instinct for range, he sings, raps, and plays guitar, with no interest in staying in one lane. 'I do a lot to explore,' he explains, adding that piano, drums, and even banjo are next on his list. For now, he places this project in indie rock territory with an indie pop lean — guitar-driven, melodic, and resistant to easy categorization.
"If I had to categorize my sound, I'd say indie, more than anything. A more creative feeling. Not like the standard sound music offers today," explains Skyve.
On "Eternal Time," Skyve co-wrote and produced alongside a collaborator who helped shape the guitar melodies and the song's overall flow, with both contributing to the drum programming. The lyrics, though, are his alone — as they always are.
"It depends, but I do maybe 50 percent of my own stuff," he shares of his process more broadly. "This one was with a producer who helped lay down some melodies on guitar and get the flow started. But I always write all my lyrics."
The release came with a rare milestone: a live show two weeks prior, marking one of Skyve's first times performing guitar in front of an audience. "It was a little nerve-racking," he admits, "but it ended up being fun overall."
"Eternal Time" isn't tied to an album or EP; it stands on its own, at least for now. But Skyve is already looking ahead. "I do have an album coming out this fall," reveals Skyve. "I'm still working on getting more details, but that's something I want to walk fans through."
For an artist who insists he can't imagine doing anything but music, Skyve's approach feels less like a career plan and more like a compulsion toward honesty. “I don't want to bring a single song or idea to the grave with me,” he reflects — a line that could double as his mission statement. “Eternal Time” is proof he's already living it, one unfinished thought at a time.
“Eternal Time” is now available on all streaming platforms, with promotional support from Starlight PR. With an album on the way this fall, it's clear Skyve is just getting started, so be sure to follow along on social media to catch what's next.
