With No Zen, Melbourne-based artist Long Legs, the solo project of Tom Mitchell, delivers a shimmering slice of indie dream-pop that brims with restless energy and intimate reflection. Known for his work as bassist and backing vocalist in post-hardcore outfit Belle Haven and more recently with surf-rock group Beach Panic!, Mitchell continues to expand his solo catalogue with a track that is as raw as it is radiant.
Written, recorded, and mixed alone in his bedroom during long stretches of insomnia, No Zen captures the surreal space between exhaustion and overdrive — when you’re too tired to function yet too wired to sleep, and waking dreams spill into consciousness. The song renders this haze through glistening guitar lines, infectious pop rhythms, and sepia-toned storytelling that feels both personal and universally resonant.
No Zen draws on the influence of 2010s indie-pop icons like MGMT and Alt-J while weaving in retro surf motifs and a warm, sun-drenched nostalgia. It moves effortlessly between restless momentum and tender introspection, embodying the duality of sleepless nights: the ache of fatigue and the strange, lucid beauty of late-hour thoughts.
Since its inception in late 2022, Long Legs has embraced imperfection, nostalgia, and unfiltered self-expression. Mitchell blends the soul and funk records of his upbringing with modern indie-pop aesthetics, creating a sound that is familiar yet refreshingly distinct. As a seasoned producer and touring musician with over a decade of experience — from crafting music for bands and First Nations artists to scoring commercial campaigns — he brings technical finesse without sanding down the music’s emotional edges.
‘No Zen’ is a radiant piece of indie dream-pop from Long Legs.
