GENRE; Alternative Pop/ Experimental/ Art Rock/ Political Hip-Hop
RELEASE DATE; 20 December, 2025
RATING; 3/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Coalition by Allan Jamisen doesn’t feel like a song you casually put on in the background. It’s the kind of track that makes you stop what you’re doing and actually listen. From the moment the phrase “It’s better than before” repeats itself, it already feels uneasy, almost sarcastic. The synths feel distant and cold, and the rhythm creeps in rather than hits you all at once. There’s a darkness here, but it’s controlled, intentional, and strangely inviting.
What really stands out is how the music moves without ever becoming predictable. The beat leans into trip-hop and industrial territory, but then you hear these jazzy brass and woodwind moments that almost feel out of place—in a good way. They give the track a slightly retro, cinematic edge, like something pulled from an old spy film soundtrack. Jamisen’s vocal delivery stays calm and sharp, almost conversational, which makes the words land harder. He doesn’t shout his message; he lets it sink in.
The Coalition takes aim at power structures most people are uncomfortable questioning. Jamisen digs into the way political leaders, military systems, and corporate interests intertwine, especially when it comes to war and conflict. The repeated line “It’s better than before” starts to feel disturbing, as if it’s the excuse repeated until no one questions it anymore. It’s not a song that tells you what to think, it just exposes the pattern and leaves you sitting with it.
Knowing Jamisen’s background makes the track even more compelling. He’s never fit neatly into one category, and that outsider spirit runs through everything here. The song’s experimental roots, paired with later refinement alongside veteran producer John X Volaitis, give it both grit and polish. The Coalition isn’t chasing trends or easy approval; it’s a thoughtful, unsettling piece of work that lingers long after the final note fades.
