Rootiger’s new album “Rewinder” feels like a trip through memory that’s full of heart, warmth and quiet emotion. The record has that beautiful balance of being deeply personal and easy to connect with, like flipping through someone’s photo album and finding pieces of your own story in it.
The album starts with the title track, “Rewinder” a short and mellow opener that immediately sets the tone. It’s gentle and emotional, built around smooth vocals and heartfelt songwriting. Then comes “On the Ball” which instantly catches your ear with its acoustic guitar, harmonica and Rootiger’s honest voice. There’s something about his delivery that just pulls you in, it feels like he’s singing straight from his world into yours.
“Tough” is one of those songs that hits close to home. It’s simple and emotionally open, carried by honest lyrics and a voice that sounds like it’s been through a lot but still finds hope. Then “Rank” comes in with lively drums, vibrant melodies and an infectious chorus that’s hard not to love. You can feel the confidence in this one, it’s rich and has that perfect mix of grit and melody.
“Brave” slows things down again and it really lives up to its name. It’s emotional and full of soul. His delivery here is incredibly sincere and you can feel the passion and vulnerability in every word. “Shutdown” takes things in a slightly different direction with its layered instrumentation and warm production. It’s the kind of song that grows on you with each listen, and his vocals sit on top of it all perfectly.
“06” keeps that energy going with tight production and a catchy mix of indie rock and Americana influences that Rootiger has clearly mastered. Finally, “Round It” closes the album on a high note, a beautiful Americana-tinged track with heartfelt lyrics and timeless melodies. It’s the perfect way to wrap up an album that feels so grounded in real emotion and experience.
In this album you really can hear Rootiger’s roots, the lo-fi charm, the folk touches, and the indie heart. His sound feels unforced and deeply touching. The production is clean but still warm and nostalgic, and his voice is the kind that stays with you long after the music stops.
Overall, this is one of those albums that you don’t just listen to, you sit with it. It feels honest, comforting and made with real care. We loved how it blends soft Americana with raw and emotional storytelling, and how every track brings something new while still keeping that signature Rootiger feel. It’s the kind of album that makes you want to hit rewind, literally.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Hailing from the paper production capitol of the world, Scranton Pennsylvania, Mark Dunford writes, records, and performs under Rootiger /rue.ti.gger/. While enlisted in the Air Force, Dunford was mostly stationed at Holloman AFB in rural New Mexico. He lived in a cabin in Cloudcroft, NM working on his voice as a songwriter, making crude home recordings and self-releasing them onto the internet. After leaving the military in 2018 he relocated to Boston, MA to attend the Berklee College of Music. Rootiger’s sound touches on indie rock, early emo, lo-fi, and americana. Rootiger began releasing singles in 2019 with a cover of Fugazi’s “I’m so tired”, “Deadlights” in 2020, and the lo-fi “folk songs & trap beats” in July 2021 before releasing his debut EP “things change real slow” on October 29th, 2021. The EP’s single “Shotgun Seat” received over 30,000 streams on spotify. “Things change real slow” was recorded in June 2021 for the first time in a studio and with a band (Micah Lucas on bass, David Himmel on drums) at 37” Productions in Rockland, MA with Zach Bloomstein producing and engineering. Rootiger’s second EP “Mary” was recorded at home throughout the pandemic with Dunford producing, engineering, and playing everything himself.
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