Dominic Fike’s new mixtape, Rocket, was teased at Lollapalooza and is now released for the speakers. It features a rap/indie tone throughout, and explores different motifs like Fike’s self-realization and an introspective feel on his emotions. 

“All Hands on Deck”

While at Lollapalooza, Fike introduced his baby son, Rocket. At the time, “All hands on Deck” was unreleased. He brought his baby onstage to give the first official public performance of the song. It was performed on a kids piano, the plastic ones that could be found in the Goodwill or Walmart toys section. The sound was raw, and Fike sang on a plastic microphone, he could be heard talking to his son in the intro. His voice was overlaid with real vocals from the studio, he was harmonizing with himself. 

Fike switches to a more melodic rap in the recorded version, around 35 seconds into the song. He performs some of his best lyricism on the whole mixtape, exploring multiple themes and personal ideas. He goes into some verses about judgement, and some about fame and finance. 

“So, try your hardest, you stale 

And starving dying artist

You mailman hotel front desk

Working that same job 

Hoping that same job pays off, 

But it don’t make no difference”

So, make your living, make your

Missus happy” 

Fike talks about the cycle of life, how money is so important. He talks about repetition and how it’s endless, that his only escape is to find refuge in other people. He mentions this in other songs; people accuse him of being co-dependent. The last line is about his relationship with Hunter Schafer when he messed things up with her, and calls himself out on it. “All Hands on Deck”, by far, heeds the most analysis on the mixtape.

“Aftermath (Edit)”

“Aftermath” is about standing out. It’s not fully self-centered, though, as Fike talks about the many people in the world, and how they act. How society puts a weight on your shoulders to “act the part” in what it wants for you. The song is quick, with only around 12 lines of real lyrics, not including ad libs or background vocals. The words get straight to the point -Fike is somewhat disturbed by society’s pressures- and he sees the influence on other famous people.

“And when I think about you, bless your heart

With everybody on your back, tryna tell you how to act, 

so you dress the part”

This could be referencing his relationship with Hunter Schafer again, how he thinks about her and sees what she’s going through, as well as himself. The background vocals say the same- 

“My feet, both my feet, both hurt

From walkin’ away” 

“Smile”

This song is a ringtone. I would love to hear the drum and bass guitar every time my phone buzzes. This song is the most lighthearted of the first three -but still- there’s more melancholy background vocals, about his love. Fike talks about how “different ain’t always better” and we should watch what we wish for. This is especially significant because no one really knows what Dominic wants. He could be wishing Schafer the best- and to be careful, or maybe she should come back to him, or it couldn’t be Schafer at all. The bridge of the song is mainly all soft vocals, saying “i still miss you”. It’s hard to not think most of the songs on this mixtape aren’t about his past relationship. 

“Sandman”

“Sandman”, the fourth addition to Rocket, has the most lyrics so far. It’s fast paced and dense. This song is mostly about his loneliness, and a desperate desire for connection and understanding. Fike highlights his struggles with mental health, and even his sleep. It’s his most vulnerable song on the mixtape and is overall about his rooted desire for some specific person. 

“Great Pretender”

His most popular addition to the mixtape, “Great Pretender”, isn’t about him at all. It’s this specific person that’s brought up so often. It’s about someone who hides behind an image. Deep down they aren’t as authentic as they might seem to “the naked eye, just a passerby”. Right after this line he goes on to say “but I see the Carolina that you left behind”. This song gives the most detail to this somewhat unknown character that this mixtape is all about. The line is almost certainly about Hunter Schafer, as she spent most of her life living in Raleigh, North Carolina. He also mentions “two Capricorns that can pay for their own stuff”, and both Fike and Schafer are Capricorns.

“$500 Fine”

This song is all about trying to make it work with Hunter Schafer. The lines are mostly counter-intuitive though, because he calls himself out multiple times on what he did wrong, despite wanting to get with her. In the second verse of the song he says, “Worst comes worst, I’ll make it up on a holiday”.

Hunter Schafer’s birthday is December 31st. The lyric is him referring to wishing her a happy birthday, to possibly start a conversation between them after the breakup. He thinks it would be more casual if he acts “like he just remembered”, even though he’s been wanting to talk to her. 

“One Glass”

“One Glass”, the shortest installment, is one of my favorites. The guitar is guttural, the vocals are fried and loud. The roll of the vocals, the lyrics and the meaning behind them all work in cohesion that can’t be paralleled. 

“Quite the Opposite”

This song is by far the best in my opinion. Dominic Fike gives everything for this song. The lyricism and the talent Fike displays is emotional and inspiring. He talks about making room for someone, and that he “knew you’d be bummed if I took all your thunder”. He goes on to say he feels bad for making it about himself. This could be about an experience with Hunter Schafer, and possibly her birthday, as he states in the song he didn’t go. The song is mostly about taking accountability for the times he went wrong, and how his past relationship with Schafer still affects him. 

“Upset & Aggressive”

On the trend of amazing songs near the end of the mixtape, this song is somewhere around my personal top 5. The song opens with a chorus alluding to one specific person. No matter how hard he tries, he’ll always have a place for this special person. “Upset & Aggressive” lives up to its name, the song is the most emotionally packed, and somewhat aggravated towards Schafer. He could be mad because she tries to cut him out, and he’s still curious to what she sees in him now. Deep down, Dom just wants to understand what she thinks of him, which is a very common thing for ended relationships. Most end with uncertainty, and Dom and Schafers is a clear example of this tragedy. 

“David Lyons”

Opposed to the more negatively fueled song before, “David Lyons” is the opposite. He’s not explicitly happy, it’s more of an indifference, or a sorrowful yearning for something only Schafer can provide. This is the first time Dom compliments her, saying “you’re so pretty, you’re so perfect” and in classic Dominic fashion he then undermines himself, “And I’m so miserable and worth whatever you decide”. This is another clear reminder he’s completely devoted to her, no matter what she thinks of him. The song takes a turn, maybe halfway he realized something while writing. 

“Yeah, there was signs and signals (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)

And if I die, my dyin’ wish is that you find that side you miss

And I’ll miss my psychiatrist, you psycho (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)

So don’t try no s*** like–

Callin’ me a co-dependent, cohabitatin’

Collaboratin’ with the other team

Back it up with real science, what’s a gaslighter? (Yeah-yeah, yeah)

Had to stand still, and I’m still tryin’

And it’s futile, it’s been way more than a few times

I mean, I would understand like two times but–”

“Epilogue”

“Epilogue” brings the mixtape to a close and fits the feel of an ending. The lyrics are soft, and well-written. Dom brings another emotionally packed song to the mixtape, a good addition- but not my favorite. 

“Still Feel It”

Rocket is brought to a close with a brief song summing up his love for Hunter Schafer, with lines reading- 

“There was no backstory

Or words in vain

But I know you loved

There was no time

To learn your ways, yeah

But I know you still feel it”