Reetoxa builds cinematic arrangement around ‘Timor Leste’

A large-scale arrangement underpins Reetoxa’s new single “Timor Leste”, a song based on Jason McKee’s experience serving in East Timor two decades ago.

The recording combines rock instrumentation with piano and orchestral textures, including work from the Budapest orchestra, giving the track a broad and dramatic sound.

McKee handled the lyrics, vocals, composition and arrangement, while producer Simon Moro oversaw production, mixing and mastering at The Avenue Studio in Cheltenham.

The wider lineup includes Peter Marin of Jet on drums, Kit Riley from Robbie Williams’ band on bass, Men at Work guitarist James Ryan and pianist Terry White.

White was tasked with helping shape the expansive song into a coherent arrangement without reducing the scale of the story.

The result sits between narrative rock, dramatic pop and soundtrack-like composition, reflecting influences ranging from Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen to Cold Chisel and Pearl Jam.