A Project Called Love Smack – “Dab In The Middle”
A Project Called Love Blends Reggae Joy and Pop-Punk Bite on “Smack Dab In The Middle”
With “Smack Dab In The Middle,” A Project Called Love opens its first release with a sound that feels colourful, energetic, and difficult to trap inside one genre. Jay Hope clearly brings a wide musical background into the project, and this three-song single moves through reggae, pop punk, grunge, and alt-rock with a very natural sense of fun. The Sublime influence is easy to hear, especially in the sunny rhythmic bounce and laid-back rebellious attitude, but the track never feels like a simple throwback.
That reggae-inspired joy sits right beside distorted guitars and a more powerful vocal presence, giving the song a nice contrast between looseness and punch. The guitars keep the energy high, often pushing the track toward pop punk and alternative rock, while the rhythm keeps that warm, offbeat movement alive underneath. It is catchy and energetic, but also a little rough around the edges in a way that gives the song personality.
Looking at the modern scene, “Smack Dab In The Middle” feels like it could sit somewhere between the breezy indie-rock feel of Rum Jungle, the colourful pop-punk instinct of Waterparks, and a bit of Superheaven’s heavier guitar flavour. Those references come through more in the attitude than in direct imitation, because A Project Called Love has its own playful way of letting different influences crash into each other.
The production captures that mixture well, keeping the track bright and immediate while still letting the guitars hit with enough force. The vocals bring a lot of confidence, matching the song’s carefree spirit without losing intensity. “Smack Dab In The Middle” is a strong first statement from A Project Called Love, full of reggae warmth, distorted guitar energy, and the kind of chorus-friendly personality that makes the project feel instantly easy to enjoy.