Australian-based alt-rock and grunge-rap artist Lab Rat released his highly anticipated debut UK single, Exit Path, through Mushroom Pillow Music. Born as Dylan James in Hillingdon, England, Lab Rat has spent his life wrestling with personal demons—trauma, depression, addiction, and suicidal tendencies. Exit Path offers a visceral look into these struggles, blending grunge, rap, and alt-rock into a cathartic, raw expression of pain, survival, and redemption.
Lab Rat has described Exit Path as deeply personal, pulling from his own experiences with childhood trauma and substance abuse. The song’s emotional intensity stems from its narrative structure, with the first verse recounting Dylan’s own story and the second focusing on an ex-girlfriend who faced similar struggles. The chorus speaks to a vicious cycle of sobriety and relapse, illustrating how past traumas resurface and compel the return to self-destructive habits.
In his own words, Dylan explains: “Exit Path deals with themes of childhood trauma, depression, and the ongoing problems that will haunt you through adulthood. It’s a personal story about using drugs as a coping mechanism to keep suicidal tendencies, bad memories, and dark thoughts from knocking at your door.” The hope behind Exit Path is to let others know that they’re not alone. Through his music, Dylan aims to reach out to those grappling with their own traumas, offering solace and understanding.
Dylan’s path to becoming Lab Rat was marked by immense hardship, both personally and professionally. Raised in Australia, he found an early escape in music. By the age of 14, he was immersed in Victoria’s punk and metal scene, honing his musical talents on the drums. However, beneath the surface, Dylan battled profound mental health issues, with family discord and unresolved trauma haunting his youth.
At 18, Dylan returned to the UK to pursue music full-time, but soon found himself ensnared in addiction, struggling to cope with his unresolved pain. His weight plummeted to a mere 43 kilograms as his life spiraled out of control. After enduring harrowing experiences, including witnessing a stabbing, Dylan reached a breaking point. The trauma and violence around him spurred him to confront his addiction head-on, marking the beginning of his journey towards sobriety and self-discovery.
In 2014, after clawing his way back from addiction, Dylan set his sights on reclaiming his passion for music. He took refuge in Melbourne’s Singing Bird Recording Studios, where he began crafting his sound, drawing from his tumultuous experiences. Despite facing continued hardships—including physical altercations at shows and living through hunger—Dylan persevered. His determination paid off when he connected with Mushroom Pillow, a European label known for its innovative approach to music. With the label’s support and the guidance of his mentor, known as “Coach,” Dylan began a new chapter as Lab Rat, setting his sights on a global music career.
Exit Path is the culmination of that journey—a song that channels years of struggle, heartbreak, and resilience into a haunting yet cathartic narrative. It’s a track that not only serves as a personal exorcism of Dylan’s demons but also as a beacon for others facing similar battles. The release of the single marks a pivotal moment in his career, as he crosses into the UK music scene, prepared to reach new audiences with his unfiltered, emotionally charged music.
Musically, Exit Path is a fusion of grunge, alt-rock, and rap, reflecting Dylan’s eclectic influences. His upbringing in Australia’s punk and metal scene, combined with his passion for raw, confessional songwriting, has shaped a sound that’s both aggressive and introspective. Lab Rat draws inspiration from a wide array of artists, including Nirvana, Tyler the Creator, and Outkast, blending these influences into something uniquely his own.
The production on Exit Path is as gritty and emotionally charged as its lyrics. The song opens with a haunting melody, slowly building in intensity as Dylan’s raw vocals cut through the track with palpable emotion. The verses are delivered with a grunge-inflected rap style, echoing the inner turmoil of the song’s themes. By the time the chorus hits, the song crescendos into a powerful expression of despair and longing, with crashing guitars and haunting vocals encapsulating the cycle of sobriety and relapse.
For Dylan, Exit Path is much more than just another song—it’s a lifeline. The track captures the deeply personal battle he has waged with his past, offering listeners a window into the pain that has shaped him. It’s a song about survival, about finding a way out of the darkness even when every part of you feels weighed down by it.
The emotional weight of the song has only grown heavier with time, especially following the tragic death of Dylan’s brother in a car accident. That loss, combined with Dylan’s past struggles, has given his music an even deeper sense of purpose. Lab Rat’s story is one of redemption, of finding strength in the face of overwhelming odds, and Exit Path is the soundtrack to that journey.
With the release of Exit Path, Lab Rat is poised to make a significant impact not only in the UK but on the global stage. His music, born out of personal pain, resonates deeply with anyone who has struggled with trauma, addiction, or mental health issues. Dylan’s unwavering commitment to authenticity ensures that his art will continue to connect with audiences on a raw, emotional level.
Looking ahead, Lab Rat plans to expand his reach, with more releases on the horizon. He’s eager to take his music beyond Australia, building a global fanbase that can relate to his story and the themes that run through his work. As he continues to navigate the uncharted waters of the international music scene, one thing remains clear: Lab Rat’s music is as much about healing as it is about expression. Through his unflinching honesty and powerful storytelling, he’s helping others find their own paths to survival.
In the words of Lab Rat himself, Exit Path “is about always managing to get sober for a while, until your memories begin to haunt you again.” It’s a haunting cycle, but one Dylan is determined to break—and through his music, he’s showing others that they can too.
Connect with Lab Rat on
English