John Voyage delivers a sharp blend of Indie Pop, Indie Rock, and Singer-songwriter energy on “It’s Only Fair,” a track that balances bright melodies with an eerie narrative edge. Fans of artists like MGMT, The Strokes, Drugdealer, Djo, Mac DeMarco, and Mild High Club will quickly connect with its warm tone and slightly off-kilter atmosphere.
Voyage’s voice carries the song with confidence. His delivery sits comfortably between relaxed indie cool and focused storytelling, making the melody easy to remember after a single listen. The chorus lands especially well, with stacked vocals that feel full without losing the Bedroom Pop intimacy that runs through the track.
The guitar work stands out immediately. A shimmering tone moves through the verses, creating a hypnotic texture that keeps the arrangement moving. When the solo arrives, the slight wah-wah effect pushes the song into Psychedelic territory, giving the closing section a hazy, drifting quality that fits the song’s mysterious theme. Beneath it all, the rhythm section keeps things lively. The groove is steady and upbeat, the kind of beat that naturally gets your head nodding.
Lyrically, “It’s Only Fair” pulls inspiration from the classic tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Voyage reimagines the rat catcher as a strange, troll-like figure known as the Karma Goblin. The story hints at moral balance and consequence, with lines like “Play your pipe and save our town, don’t let the children hear the tune” pointing to the tension between hero and villain. The narrative frames a character who is unsure where they stand between good and evil, always looking over their shoulder as karma closes in.
The music video leans fully into that concept. Voyage sings toward a mirror without looking directly at it while the Karma Goblin, played by Adrian Choate, appears in the reflection during several moments. Throughout the video the goblin trails him through everyday locations, from quiet streets to a dim tunnel that acts as the creature’s lair. The visuals feel playful but slightly unsettling, matching the song’s tone. The goblin makeup was created by the team themselves, and the result adds to the homemade charm of the production.
Production on the track is clean and balanced. Every layer, from the tape delay textures in the verses to the Psychedelic guitar outro, sits clearly in the mix. The result feels polished while still keeping the loose spirit that Indie and Garage-leaning recordings thrive on.
“It’s Only Fair” succeeds because it blends catchy songwriting with a quirky story and striking visuals. The melody sticks, the guitars shimmer, and the concept leaves a lingering sense of mystery that makes the track worth revisiting. For indie fans looking for something melodic with a slightly spooky twist, this one deserves a spot on the playlist.
Connect with John Voyage:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/johnvoyagemusic
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnvoyagemusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnvoyagemusic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5J8PpOfGZ96RAWdppAPBZV
Bandcamp: https://johnvoyagemusic.bandcamp.com/
All other links/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/JohnVoyage
Bio:
John Voyage released his latest album It’s Only Fair on Oct. 17th, 2025. Working across a number of projects and mediums since a young age, John Voyage is a singer-songwriter who released his debut album Searching On A Ley Line in late 2021. Hailing from the greater Omaha area, he combines traditional songwriting with an eclectic group of influences that combine to form a signature sound. Between albums he has stayed busy releasing five singles and racking up credits in movies and video games with Netflix’s Dog Gone (2023, songwriter) and Mech Tech (2025, OST composer) respectively. With the release of his second album It’s Only Fair, John Voyage will now take the project to the stage and on the road with a full band.
