Necko

Based in Sydney, Necko are a driving force of Sydney’s music scene. Formed in 2023 they have made their mark and are here to stay. Consisting of members Alek Necko (vocals and guitar), Alex Damon (bass and keys) and Reno Torrisi (drums).

“Necko is a marriage of the three of our lives and musical experience. We share similar influences but it’s the ones that don’t cross over that I think create a unique sound. The project is evolving now into a space where all three of us are inputting into what Necko’s sound is, and that’ll be heard on wax in a few months’ time. We’ve solidified the band as music coming from three minds acting as one.” shares Alex.

You’ve Got What I Want’ by Necko is a polished and contemporary rock track with both classic and contemporary elements. Written in E major, it summons a bright foundation in contrast with its tense, emotional longing tone. As a listener, it is perceived as a track about desire for something just out of arms reach. Which ultimately becomes the driving force of the track. I asked Necko if the recurring push and pull in their tracks is a conscious decision or if it emerges after the fact. Reno expressed that “It’s definitely intentional in the writing and recording processes. We’ve used several techniques in the studio to translate the energy we believe these parts of the songs need. Contrast of dynamics is super important to us, for example the crescendo at the end of ‘Alone’ and the big chorus that doesn’t come till the end of ‘Bleed’. We speed things up and slow them down, too, which comes from our influences.”

The band’s identity as an Australian power trio comes through clearly in the arrangement. The guitars are riff‑forward and rooted in 70s and 80s stadium rock, but the production is clean and modern, giving each instrument space whilst complementing each other. Alek’s vocals shift between restraint and intensity, building toward moments that feel almost explosive. The rhythm section keeps the track grounded with a steady, mid‑tempo drive, creating a sense of forward motion that mirrors the song’s thematic urgency. The title and musical choices suggest a narrative centered on pursuit.

I asked Necko what inspired this track, frontman Alek shared that ‘It was inspired by where I saw rock and roll going but also what I loved about where it once was. The track was developed lyrically long before the instrumental aspect because of that, and it took some iterations before we settled on a vibe. The approach to the vocal didn’t really change, nor did the main riff. It started more as a mid-tempo, sexy, R&B-influenced tune, but by the time of recording it increased in BPM; we just kept the sexy.” Paired with the release is their official music video, co‑directed by Dave Molland and Necko themself, the video reinforces the new era and subtle rebrand for Necko. As the leading single for their upcoming album II, the track functions as a statement piece with powerful riffs and contagious energy. The video stylistically signals a deliberate effort to express their identity and craft in conjunction with “You’ve Got What I Want’’s sound. It positions the track not just as a single, but as an introduction to the emotional world of the album.

“It’s a gamble choosing a single, as you never know what’s going to connect with people. We can really only pick the one that feels right to us when we come to these decisions. Comparing “Wicked”, “Alone”, “Animal”, and “You’ve Got What I Want”, I think it’s obvious there isn’t really a set formula for how we select the songs to lead with. Ironically, “Wicked” and “You’ve Got What I Want” are both track one on each EP, so perhaps it’s more a case of how we want to set the tone for what’s to follow.” Alex shares. Reno expressed that “You’ve Got What I Want” is probably the “poppiest tune” on the upcoming EP. “It stands out for that reason. It doesn’t necessarily define where the band is going, but it’s where we are now. We’re constantly evolving.”

I expressed to drummer Reno that this release feels sharper and more direct than some of their earlier releases and pondered whether this was a conscious shift or if it developed naturally. He replied “We had six months of playing the tune live which essentially allowed us to workshop the song on stage. We also had a day of pre-production with Adrian Bushby, the producer, who had several comments that shaped the arrangement. The combination of those things and it being the first song we tracked in the studio and the energy we had gave the recording that directness and sharpness. We knew exactly how we were going to approach it.”

I followed up that question by asking how their approach to lyricism and musicality has evolved since earlier tracks like “You Don’t Gotta Be Alone Anymore” and “Wicked Woman”. Alek expressed that those earlier tracks were the first time he truly felt like a lyricist, and that once they were written, he knew he was ready to put a band together and see them through. “You’ve Got What I Want was actually written in those same sessions, but I did come back to tweak certain lines that I no longer resonated with. I wanted the song to feel more current to me so when I sang it, I felt it in the booth. In terms of musicality, the solo was pretty much tracked the same as the demo, mainly because Reno told me not to change it and I trusted him. It didn’t need an update.”

I asked Alek if their evolution has invited them to take more creative risks in contrast with Necko in earlier years. “Absolutely. I think I was more inclined to restrain myself stylistically then so our sound could enter a certain niche. Now that that’s been accomplished, I feel more comfortable branching out. “You’ve Got What I Want” is a perfect example. I didn’t think the first EP was the right project for it because it danced between genres and the thought of that probably irritated me at the time. But now that people know what Necko is about, it’s time to start building on that with the boys who actually pulled the song from the archives and threatened me. Ha!”

“We’ve become brothers during the course of being in this band together. That spark and energy is almost palpable when we’re on stage. The fact that we are so close in our relationships with one another allows us to be really honest and take each other’s opinions really seriously; for example, a note on the bass and keyboard sounds, Alek’s guitar tone or the way Reno approaches a fill. It’s all discussed openly and that’s why we sound like a unit, not individuals.”- Alex

What makes “You’ve Got What I Want” stand out is the way it bridges nostalgia and modernity. It carries the DNA of classic rock but avoids feeling retro; instead, it feels like a contemporary magnification of what a rock single should be. The emotional complexity adds depth, giving the track a sense of purpose. It ultimately works as both a showcase of Necko’s strengths and a promise of what’s coming next.