Mental Notes is the independent recording project of Baltimore native Daniel Butko. After touring as guitarist for fellow Maryland band Snail Mail in 2018 and sharing the bill with acts like Alvvays, Palm, JPEGMAFIA, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and Bon Iver in the process, then releasing a number of instrumental singles and an EP under the name Dali in 2020, he started crafting the sound of what would eventually become Mental Notes. Alternate Reality was the first single released under the Mental Notes name in July 2020, being part of the first EP titled Forward, released in October of the same year. The project explores psych-rock soundscapes fused with a hint of funk, led by introspective lyrics. Following the release came a number of singles that eased back on the fuzzy psych sound with a more sensitive tone. Wishful Thinking was released in 2021, while fatigue and Here/There were released in 2022, with the latter being the single for the sophomore EP entitled Moments In Time, released August 2023. The project carries a moody yet dreamy atmosphere with lyrics painting a picture of heartbreak, regret, but eventual acceptance. There is still much to be explored in the Mental Notes sonic universe, with the next chapter just on the horizon.