Scene: the dim, pulsating heart of a dive bar, where the music pulses through the walls like a second heartbeat…where an unwelcome element disrupts the night’s delicate balance. Amid the swirling conversations and clinking glasses, there exists a figure whose presence is anything but subtle. His voice, a grating assault on the ears, cuts through the ambient hum like a rusty blade. This man, reeking of cheap whiskey and bad decisions, lurches from one group to another, each interaction more painful than the last. His laughter, loud and misplaced, echoes off the walls, drowning out the carefully curated soundtrack that defines the venue’s essence. His attempts at camaraderie are clumsy, a mockery of the convivial spirit that others share effortlessly. In a space designed for the quiet appreciation of life’s fleeting moments, he is a discordant note, a reminder of the chaos that always lurks at the edges of our carefully constructed worlds.
He is, in short, A Very Shady Character.
A Very Shady Character, the fourth and final single from The Mystic Underground’s 2023 album, Everyone Deserves A Stage, has been released. In the bustling veins of New York City’s music scene, The Mystic Underground stands as an indelible force. This synthpop duo, comprising Vladimir Valette and Benedetto Socci, has etched their presence with a certain distinctive flair. Valette’s lyrical agility and evocative vocals echo the spirit of Andy Bell from Erasure, summoning a profound intensity that captivates listeners. Meanwhile, Socci’s meticulous synth work and production prowess forge a backdrop that pulses with a haunting yet deeply affecting resonance. This track explores the awkward dance of social ineptitude. Inspired by those memorable, often cringeworthy encounters at local bars, the song spotlights that one person who, emboldened by a few too many drinks, transforms into a public nuisance, leaving a path of irritation and amusement behind them.
A Very Shady Character stands as the counterpoint to the life of the party, offering a sharp observation on the misdirected efforts to gain attention and affection. This single highlights the band’s knack for encapsulating familiar experiences.
“We all know someone like this, and perhaps, at times, we’ve even found ourselves in their shoes,” says the band. “This song serves as a simple yet powerful reminder of the drunken lout in action, seeking connection in all the wrong ways, with potential regrets lingering in the morning.”
Listen to “A Very Shady Character” below, and find the single and its remixes on Bandcamp:
The release is complemented by remixes from the electro-industrial duo Dread Risks and synthpop stalwarts Provision, adding further layers to the band’s keen social commentary.
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