Review

Mika James

“Nonna's Trolley”

Mika James steps out from behind the drum kit and into the spotlight with “Nonna's Trolley,” a track that encapsulates her knack for blending raw emotion with intricate musical craftsmanship. Known for her work with Melbourne’s punk outfit The Vovos, James delivers a solo effort that feels both fresh and steeped in nostalgia, straddling the lines between cinematic country, bluesy grit, and punk’s unfiltered energy.

The instrumentation in “Nonna's Trolley” is deceptively intricate, creating a sonic landscape that feels both expansive and intimate. The track rides on a steady yet dynamic foundation, where layered guitars flicker between delicate strumming and weighty, reverberant chords, crafting a sense of movement—like watching the world drift by from a tram window.

The percussive choices are particularly striking—James’ background as a drummer shines through in the song’s rhythmic subtleties. The drum work is restrained but purposeful, punctuating the track with ghost notes and dynamic shifts that highlight the emotional push-and-pull. This intelligent approach to instrumentation gives “Nonna's Trolley” a timeless quality, allowing it to breathe and evolve with each listen.

While the instrumental foundation is rich and compelling, it’s James’ vocals that truly steal the show. There’s an immediacy to her delivery, a balance of vulnerability and quiet defiance that makes every lyric land with impact. Her voice carries a raw, almost weathered quality—like someone recounting a memory that still holds weight.

The chorus is where James’ vocal prowess truly shines. Soaring yet controlled, it expands into a full-bodied, evocative refrain that lingers long after the song ends. There’s a melodic rise-and-fall that mirrors the track’s themes of movement and fleeting moments, making it feel almost like a whispered secret that gradually crescendos into a cathartic release.

Mika has a poet’s touch when it comes to songwriting. “Nonna's Trolley” isn’t just a song—it’s a snapshot, a vignette of life unfolding in real time. The lyrics sketch out a scene that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable, balancing specificity with open-ended imagery. There’s a sense of motion throughout the song, as if the protagonist is caught between nostalgia and forward momentum, between longing and acceptance.

With “Nonna's Trolley,” Mika James proves that stepping into the solo spotlight suits her effortlessly. The track is a beautifully layered piece of work—thoughtful in its instrumentation, powerful in its vocals, and poetic in its storytelling. It’s a song that invites the listener to sit with it, to let it unfold in waves, and to return to it again and again, finding new textures with each listen. If this is any indication of what James has in store for her solo career, it’s safe to say we’re in for something special.