G'day Andrew,

First off, "Artefacts" is a fascinating title, and your explanation makes me want to dust off my own mental attic and see what embarrassing relics I've accumulated. The whole concept of being shaped by experiences is a really engaging starting point.

Instantly dug this! The guitars and the metre give off a fantastic (IMO) Thunderclap Newman/Kinks vibe that's got me bobbing my head like a dashboard kangaroo from the first note.

That “chorus”, though… it’s as catchy as a cold in winter, but it's playing it a little safe. It’s more of a recurring motif than a fully realized chorus, and I think a proper chorus would really elevate the song. You've already handled the often-tricky bridge, which is a huge plus. So, what we have here is a cracking good song... just needs a chorus that isn't afraid to show off a bit! (IMO, of course, because my musical opinions are older than sliced bread.)

And the lyrics? They resonated big time – clearly, we're both members of the same grumpy-but-lovable demographic.

So, the verdict: A great song that's just one chorus away from being absolutely stellar! (IMO – but you asked, right?)

P.S. Thanks for the SC support – it's always appreciated!