Alternative R&B from Otto Reitano

Sydney-based artist Otto Reitano has long blurred the line between music and sound art, bringing together intricate audio landscapes that feel at once otherworldly while tethered to human emotion. As a singer, producer and sound artist, his work extends beyond traditional songwriting, with a career that flows across music to acclaimed public art installations. Formerly known as the frontman and songwriter of Cloud Daddy & the Kingston Big Smokes, Otto now steps forward under his own name, bringing years of experience into a solo project that balances intimacy with experimentation.

His reputation as a creator of sensory experiences was first crystallised with “My Friend the Tunnel,” a collaboration with design studio Electrolight for Sydney’s Martin Place Metro station. The piece transformed the Muru Giligu tunnel into a flowing audio-visual journey, earning an APRA/AMCOS award nomination and an IALD Award. The installation highlighted Otto’s ability to design immersive soundscapes that fill space as well as shift perception, enveloping listeners in transportive environments. That context carries directly into his music, where a he stacks mood, texture and emotion until they coalesce into something bigger than a song.

Now, Otto unveils his debut solo single titled “On My Mind,” a profoundly personal work that ushers in his next chapter while basing it in love and connection. Written, performed and produced entirely in the Petersham home he shares with his wife, the track stands as a love letter at a time of change, arriving just as the couple prepare for the birth of their first child in November. It’s as much a personal tribute as it is a sonic exploration, a moment of stillness and gratitude expressed through sound.

The track lands with the same careful attention to detail that defines his installation work, ppening on ethereal vocals and softly placed piano keys, it immediately establishes a sense of intimacy before expanding outward. Shimmering synths, subtle clicks of percussion and atmospheric layers gradually enter, creating a hypnotic interplay between fragility and drive. When electronic drums break through, the song shifts into new energy; a rhythmic force pushing against angelic vocal textures.

Shaped by an R&B-inspired aesthetic but tinged with an avant-garde vibe, the track builds into a multi-layered piece that captures Otto’s ability to crafting immersive sonic worlds. The contrast between the booming thump of drums, the dreamy instrumental textures and his elegant vocal elements forms a truly mesmeric listening experience that’s memorable and meaningful from start to finish. Mixed by Jack Prest, whose credits include Skrillex, Flume and A$AP Rocky and mastered by Wayne Sunderland, the track sees Otto Reitano deliver an emphatic artistic statement.

As a first step in a solo career leading up to a full album that’s set to drop early next year, “On My Mind” sets the tone for Otto Reitano’s vision, music that’s personal yet unbounded, experimental yet heartfelt. By pairing the immersive instincts of his sound art with the poignant context of his songwriting, Otto offers an exciting musical moment and we can’t wait to see what comes next on his thrilling musical adventure.

Listen to On My Mind below

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