An upbeat rock-pop duet about starting over, embracing freedom, and daring to play by new rules in love and life.
Artist: Aton O’Cat & Amanda van Duren
Release date: April 19, 2024
Genre: Up-tempo Rock / Pop Rock
Theme: Fresh starts, freedom, new relationships, emotional renewal
Music : Joseph J Nota
Lyrics: Joseph J Nota
Mood: Energetic, hopeful, playful, liberating
For fans of: Catchy rock-pop duets, Human League–inspired vibes, songs about new beginnings
“New Game” is the second collaboration between Aton O’Cat and Amanda van Duren, following their earlier duet “Great Example.” Where their first collaboration leaned toward funky, jazzy soft rock, “New Game” takes a bolder step into up-tempo rock with pop flair.
Inspired in spirit by the conversational dynamic of Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me,” the song tells a story of two people leaving past relationships behind and consciously choosing to reset the rules. It’s about freedom, honesty, and excitement, not repeating old patterns, but daring to reshuffle the cards and start again.
The playful exchange between the two voices gives the song its charm, turning it into a dialogue rather than a monologue.
“New Game” uses the metaphor of games and cards to describe emotional relationships. Past love was reduced to blame, boredom, and repetition. Now it’s time for something new.
The song explores:
Letting go of past emotional failures
Choosing freedom over stagnation
Honesty about independence and openness
Building connection without possession
Lines like “If I play with others, it really shouldn’t bother” underline a modern, open-minded view of relationships; one built on fairness and consent rather than jealousy or control.
By the final verse, the song shifts from “I” to “we,” symbolizing that two people who play fair can eventually become a true pair, without losing their individuality.
Musically, “New Game” blends rock energy with pop accessibility:
Up-tempo rock groove driving momentum and excitement
Catchy pop hooks that make the chorus instantly memorable
Duet-style vocal interplay, echoing classic male–female dialogue songs
Bright guitar riffs supporting a playful, forward-moving feel
Clean, modern production keeping the track light and energetic
The result is a song that feels fresh, optimistic, and made for movement; a soundtrack for turning the page.
Lyrics & Music: Joseph J Nota ©
It is time to play a new game
My last love was about who got the blame
It is time to shuffle the cards
My heart needs to make a whole new start
Now I long for freedom oh I long for freedom
My last game was characterized by boredom
Now I want to play a whole new game
Something more exiting and not so terribly lame
So you out there
Who plays games fair
Let us finally meet
I want to feel your heat
If you play with others
It really shouldn’t bother
I play those games too
We are not always two
It is time to play a new game
My last love was about who got the blame
It is time to shuffle the cards
My heart needs to make a whole new start
Now I long for freedom oh I long for freedom
My last game was characterized by boredom
Now I want to play a whole new game
Something more exiting and not so terribly lame
Yes you out there
I play games fair
I’d love us to meet
I want to feel your heat
If I play with others
It really shouldn’t bother
You play those games too
We are not always two
It was time to play a new game
Our last love was about who got the blame
It was time to shuffle the cards
Our heart needed to make a whole new start
Now we got our freedom oh we got our freedom
Our last game was characterized by boredom
Now we are playing a whole new game
Something more exiting and not so terribly lame
Now we are a pair
Because we play fair
Our love is complete
We feel each other’s heat
If you play with others
It really doesn’t bother
I play those games too
We are not always two
Now we are a pair
Because we play fair
Our love is complete
We feel each other’s heat
If you play with others
It really doesn’t bother
I play those games too
We are not always two
“New Game” is about starting fresh in love, leaving blame and boredom behind, and choosing freedom and honesty.
The song is performed by Aton O’Cat and Amanda van Duren.
Both the lyrics and music were written by Joseph J Nota.
An up-tempo rock-pop duet with catchy hooks and playful energy.
It was inspired by the idea of conversational duets like Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me,” but with a modern rock-pop twist.
It represents honesty, consent, and mutual respect in relationships.
Freedom symbolizes breaking out of repetitive, unfulfilling relationship patterns.
It reflects emotional growth; two independent people choosing to become a pair.
It touches on openness and independence, but ultimately emphasizes trust and fairness.
Optimism, excitement, and the courage to begin again.