It’s fitting that JJ Rane’s Back into the River drops on Valentine’s Day—though don’t expect a bouquet of love songs. Instead, this five-track EP is soaked in existential dread, late-night betrayals, and the kind of hard-earned wisdom that comes from staring down the currents of life. Jon Matwiv, the architect behind JJ Rane, channels the spirit of early 2000s alternative rock, mixing it with the brooding weight of the Pacific Northwest scene and the crisp execution of Western Canada’s rock lineage.
The title track, “Back into the River,” sets the stage with its hypnotic, swirling melody, like a slow descent into memory’s undertow. Matwiv’s lyrics paint a picture of cyclical fate—always returning to the same mistakes, the same ghosts, the same unresolved questions. The track’s refrain, Back into the river, down, feels less like a choice and more like inevitability.
Then there’s “Hell of a Lie,” the EP’s most immediate and venomous moment. A masterclass in slow-burning tension, it struts with a bluesy, almost Southern Rock swagger before exploding into a chorus that thrashes like a bar fight gone bad. With mixing duties handled by legendary producer Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar, Grady), the track has a polished-yet-dirty feel—like it’s been dragged through the mud and come out stronger for it.
“In the Middle of Two Worlds” leans into the dreamier side of JJ Rane’s aesthetic, a slow-motion unraveling of identity and belonging. The track’s haunting refrain—which hand holds the winning prize—lingers long after the song fades, capturing that unsettling moment when you realize you might never get an answer. The official video for the song (available on YouTube) matches the track’s sense of duality and isolation, making it an instant standout.
“Wake Up” is the EP’s most urgent plea—both musically and thematically. A snarling indictment of self-delusion and apathy, it thrashes with grunge-infused frustration, pushing the EP into heavier territory. Lea Cappelli’s guest vocals cut through the mix like a warning siren, adding another layer of urgency to an already explosive track.
The EP closes with “Back into the River II (Alternate Version)”, a stripped-down, alternate take on the opener. It’s rawer, more haunting, almost like a ghost of its former self. Matwiv’s vocals sound weary but defiant, as if acknowledging that no matter how many times we return to the river, we’re always changed by the journey.
While JJ Rane began as Matwiv’s solitary project, Back into the River benefits from its impressive roster of collaborators. Bassist Jon Button (Sheryl Crow, The Who) and drummers Nik Hughes (Bush) and Mike Smith (Trapt, Tantric) bring a rhythmic depth that keeps each track dynamic, while Cappelli’s guest vocals inject just the right amount of haunting contrast.
This isn’t just an alt-rock throwback—it’s an evolution. Matwiv has taken the bones of the genre and shaped something deeply personal, cinematic in scope but intimate in execution. If this is what Matwiv can do with five songs, the full-length album is going to be a reckoning.
JJ Rane’s Back into the River is available now on all streaming platforms.
