Tom Tikka & The Missing Hubcaps – California Smile (2024)
Life tends to oscillate from good to bad, happy to sad, right to wrong, painful to sublime, and The Other Side Reviews is pleased to discover artists exploring these complex themes. One artist who delves into the light and dark but often prompts a hopeful optimism is Tom Tikka & The Missing Hubcaps. In 2021, Tikka encouraged new beginnings in ‘By 2022’, and last year the joy of imagination came through in ‘Fire And Ice’. Come with us as we delve into the latest addition to the singer-songwriter’s discography, ‘California Smile’.
Following his well-received track ‘Hieroglyphs’, Tikka shifts to a strong Americana tone in ‘California Smile’. Yet, while the country-influenced single leans prominently to the stuff you can play at a bar where everyone wears cowboy boots, Tikka’s signature indie-rock flutters beneath in its guitar-driven glory. One might consider this slant to Americana an evolution in Tikka’s sound, and it could be considering the genre diversity of the chart-topping individual. The thing is, ‘California Smile’ is a collaborative single with singer-songwriter Nolan Chew Jr. of The Star Prairie Project – so, a smile-inducing fusion of two styles into one song with charm and elegance.
Released through British One Media, ‘California Smile’ is a rollercoaster of dynamic guitars, gruff vocals and bold drums bound by upbeat, chilled-out joviality. The soar of the composition with slithers of Tikka’s rich vocals are heard and felt throughout ‘California Smile’ as it slaps a cheesy grin on your face while simultaneously grabbing your heart with its emotional intensity. Incorporating profoundness in the pleasant melody, Tom Tikka explains:
“Well, it’s a song about a guy from California but it’s also a song about meeting that special person you settle down with. It’s a beautiful moment. You feel no need to roam around anymore, and other people become of no interest to you. Everyone should experience that feeling…”
In addition to his single, Tom Tikka released an official music video for ‘California Smile’. You can view the video below or on Tikka’s YouTube channel. Please note that this video uses lighting effects that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
Find out more about Tom Tikka & The Missing Hubcaps on the official website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Listen to more Americana tunes on The Other Side Reviews Americana playlist:
