A dreamily enveloping pop charmer from Mild Monk, “21st Century” balances twinkling keys with psych-friendly guitar twangs amidst the artist’s soothing vocal presence. The project of multi-instrumentalist Henry Stein, Mild Monk impressed last year with the hypnotic “Midnight Disco,” one of our favorite singles from 2022.
The Bay Area-based artist dazzles again here. “Welcome to the 21st century, is it what you dreamed to be?” the opening vocals ask, mesmerizing with lush keys glistening and heart-tugging guitar twangs. The “lucky one,” vocal signals some gorgeously lush vocal work, evolving into a twangy guitar expansion. The city-pop aesthetic — with serenely caressing pop songwriting on display — captivates thoroughly.
The track comes via Mild Monk’s forthcoming 7-track EP, Back to Earth, releasing on January 13th.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of January 2023’ Spotify playlist.
