Reetoxa channels long-term aftermath into ‘Timor Leste’

Twenty years after serving in East Timor, Jason McKee has turned those memories into Reetoxa’s new single “Timor Leste.”

The Melbourne songwriter has spoken about continuing to dream vividly about the deployment, which took place in 2006 during his time with the Royal Australian Navy aboard HMAS Manoora.

The song focuses not only on the immediate experience of conflict, but on the way those events remain present long after returning home.

One recurring memory of birds beginning to sing again after the violence eased became a particularly important image within the song.

McKee also uses the track to reflect on his feelings about the recognition given to those involved in the deployment and the emotional consequences that remained with personnel afterwards.

Musically, “Timor Leste” uses a full-band and orchestral arrangement rather than a conventional verse-chorus format, allowing the narrative to determine the song’s pace and scale.