The Oshawa artist channels parenthood and past failures into a genre-defying rallying cry.

Through this track Theo John portrays a man who struggles to return to ring competition. Through this defiant single the 32-year-old Oshawa native expresses all the previous near-valor against failure from his entire life. John analyzes the positive and negative aspects of ambition through an alt-pop and rap-influenced beat. The lyrics “Making sense of my life has got me feeling deranged” express the true essence of the track by showing how people maintain both commitment to domestic duties while still holding onto their dreams.

The artist released Up and Down within a wholly independent production approach that displays their DIY principles. The song production implements stripped-down synths with live drum recordings resulting in a recording that maintains a personal touch while providing a powerful feeling. The vocals of John transition flawlessly through sweeping Twenty One Pilots-like hooks before transitioning to Macklemore-style rapid verses where he delivers compelling messages to everyday men. Without artist-engineered sonic perfection the song succeeds since its core message highlights how only authentic flaws matter.