AKA is the new solo project from Callum Thompson, guitarist and producer of The Mysterines. Known for his gritty, guitar-driven production work within the band, Thompson now steps into a sharper, more personal spotlight.
Released via Fiction Records, “It Grows On Trees (Money)” marks AKA’s debut solo statement — a pivot that leans further into distorted alt-rock and psych-inflected experimentation while retaining punk immediacy.
“It Grows On Trees (Money)” is a jagged, melodic psych-rock anthem with a punk edge. Distorted guitars grind against driving rhythms, while the vocal delivery balances sardonic bite with melodic clarity.
Lyrically, the track takes aim at modern consumerism and the curated identities of the social media era. It satirises the illusion of endless wealth and performative success — exposing how value systems bend under digital pressure.
Written and performed by Thompson, the single was co-produced with Ben Harper, mixed by Caesar Edmunds, and mastered by Felix Davis — giving it a polished punch without dulling its grit.
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“It Grows On Trees” resonates because it captures generational frustration without losing humour. The blend of distorted indie rock and psych flair feels both nostalgic and current — echoing past British alt movements while addressing present-day anxieties.
With Liverpool’s scene continuing to produce boundary-pushing artists, AKA’s debut doesn’t feel like a side project — it feels like a calculated switch-up with something to say.