Satellite Train – “James Dean”

Satellite Train’s new single “James Dean” is part of their larger project, The Melbourne Sessions Multiverse Experience, and it’s one of the more interesting releases I’ve checked out recently. The track brings that familiar James Dean cool, classic, rebellious, a little cinematic, but without trying too hard to feel retro or modern. It strikes a good balance.

What is unique about this release is the way they’ve set it up. Depending on where and how you listen, like on Apple Music with Dolby headphones versus Spotify, you’re getting different versions of the same song. Not just a tweak in the mix, but actual alternate performances with changes in the rhythm section and how things are placed in the space. It’s a clever move that doesn’t feel forced. It gives you a reason to come back and hear it again in a new way.

They also worked with the James Dean family, which shows they didn’t take the name lightly. It adds a sense of care to the whole thing, and that comes through when you listen. You can enjoy it straight up, or dig into the different versions if you’re into that kind of thing. Definitely worth following Satellite Train on social media to keep up with what’s coming in 2025.