AP Tobler’s “False Hearted” is Their Latest Existential Grunge Bop

AP Tobler writes existential grunge bops with heavy riffs and complex themes, typically around anxiety and depression. While they’ve only been writing original music since 2018, their songwriting has the depth of someone who’s been doing it for years. They draw heavy influence from the 90’s grunge, alternative, and punk scenes in their work, citing Nirvana, Green Day, and Weezer as significant influences.

They just released their alternative rock single “False Hearted” about fake friends and betrayal. It’s from their upcoming EP, Devoid, and has the sound of Rage Against the Machine meets Nirvana. It’s fast paced and heavy with the theme of vengeance. They also acknowledge their role in allowing this to happen, shaping the way they interact with people in hopes of protecting themself from further betrayal.

“I added many layers and buildups in the song to give it an aggressive feel,” says AP. “Some of the production characteristics of this song were inspired by listening to Pierce the Veil. The stark bass line leading up to the scream is loosely inspired by Rage Against the Machine. In the studio, I added more monotone audio effects to my vocals in the verse to further contrast with the heavy hitting, open choruses.”

The video is playful, in a sense that you can see AP had a lot of fun making it, but it’s also big on symbolism. It opens with a silhouette of AP being pushed and stabbed in the back, which of course invites the interpretation of the song right off the bat. They are performing under the freeway, a space typically associated with sketchy behavior and where we turn a blind eye. In the end, they confront their enemy and take them out, simultaneously representing the acknowledgment of their doing and moving on.