Tony Molina: On This Day [Album Review]

Tony Molina
On This Day
Olde Fade/Speakeasy Studios SF/Slumberland Records [2025]

“Molina proves you can fit a whole universe into 60 seconds—and every moment lands.”

Album Overview: Tony Molina has been quietly shaping his own lane for more than two decades, hopping between punk roots, jangly indie pop, and tender acoustic work with natural ease. A lifelong Bay Area musician, he’s built a catalog defined by sharp, short-form songwriting and a commitment to classic melody above everything else. Whether working solo or with longtime collaborators, Molina treats each track like its own little world—brief, direct, and deeply intentional.

With On This Day, he delivers 21 compact pieces that feel like a crate of forgotten 7-inches, each with its own atmosphere. Recorded mostly at home with Alicia Vanden Heuvel and featuring a tight circle of friends, the record glides through bright folk-rock, chamber-pop touches, and quick electric bursts across its brisk 23 minutes. Even with all the stylistic shifts, the album plays like one continuous mood—built on pacing, tone, and an obvious affection for timeless pop structure. It’s Molina distilling everything he’s been chasing into one cohesive cycle.

Musical Style: The album bounces between gentle acoustic moments, chiming 12-string lines, warm brass accents, and sudden fuzz-forward jolts. Molina pulls from 60s folk-rock, baroque-pop, and even small classical sketches, but keeps everything tight and purposeful. Mellotron, piano, organ, and layered harmonies show up throughout, yet nothing feels decorative—every part supports the melody. The songs may move fast, but the textures they leave behind hang in the air.

Evolution of Sound: Across his career, Molina has drifted from fast, loud projects toward increasingly melodic and reflective songwriting. On This Day feels like another step toward clarity—still immediate, still unmistakably Molina, but with more room for exploration. Tracking most of it at home opened the door for new colors: bells, vintage keys, and extra vocal layers that deepen the mood without breaking the minimalist frame. It’s not a reinvention so much as a refinement of what he does best.

Artists with Similar Fire: Fans of Bill Fox’s earnest folk-pop, The Byrds’ bright jangle, or Eric Andersen’s thoughtful acoustic work will feel right at home here. There are hints of 60s San Francisco melody-makers and a few touches of modern indie acts who favor concise, harmony-rich songwriting. Still, no matter the comparison, the songs land squarely in Molina’s universe.

Pivotal Tracks: “Ghosts of Punishment Past” and “Livin’ Wrong” nail that mid-60s folk-rock shimmer with an ease that feels instantly familiar. “FC ’23” pushes the album’s vocal blend to the front, while “Despise the Sun” brings a rustic, open-air warmth. “Don’t Belong” taps into the wistful pop approach Molina has explored in past projects. His take on “Violets of Dawn” (an Eric Andersen gem) is one of the record’s brightest peaks, with rushing harmonies, backing vocals from Rachel Orimo and sparkling 12-string guitar. At the opposite pole, “Have Your Way” explodes with raw punk energy—a quick reminder of the scene Molina grew up in.

Lyrical Strength: Molina favors brevity over full narratives, sketching moments rather than spelling them out. His lines land with weight because they arrive without excess, letting the melody carry what’s left unsaid. Themes of regret, change, and small emotional shifts show up often, but the writing stays direct and unguarded, perfectly suited for songs that flash by in under a minute.

Final Groove: On This Day finds Tony Molina at his most distilled—sharp, tuneful, and quietly ambitious. The songs may be short (as expected), but together they form a full emotional arc that rewards both close listening and easy repeat plays. It’s the kind of record that proves how much feeling can fit into 60 seconds when the writing is this strong. Sure, I’d love to hear Molina plug in and tear through 23 minutes of indie fuzz again someday, but the way he keeps refining this melodic, concise approach is its own thrill. Once again, he’s delivered a compelling listen that feels effortless—and leaves you curious about where he’ll go next.

TONY MOLINA REVIEW HISTORY
In The Fade (2022) / Songs From San Mateo County Smoking Room (2019) / Kill The Lights (2018) / Confront The Truth (2016) / Dissed And Dismissed (2013)

OTHER MOLINA PROJECTS REVIEW HISTORY
The Lost Days: In The Store (2023)
OVENS: OVENS (2022)

TONY MOLINA LINKS
Bandcamp | Speakeasy Studios SF | Slumberland Records