Reetoxa revisits 2006 East Timor deployment on new single ‘Timor Leste’

Melbourne project Reetoxa has released “Timor Leste”, a new single inspired by songwriter Jason McKee’s deployment to East Timor with the Royal Australian Navy in 2006.

McKee served aboard HMAS Manoora, and the song draws directly from memories of that period, including the long-term psychological impact of the deployment and the difficulty of leaving such experiences behind.

One detail that remained with him was hearing birds begin singing again once the violence had subsided, an image that became part of the song’s emotional framework.

Recorded at The Avenue Studio in Cheltenham, “Timor Leste” combines a full band with piano and orchestral elements, including contributions from the Budapest orchestra.

The release arrives as Reetoxa prepare a large-scale follow-up project, with a 22-track double album currently planned for early 2027.