DC new wave group Mystery Friends release their second full-length album, Utopia, this month — and to celebrate, they are headlining The Atlantis on Friday, Jan. 26.
Despite its seemingly lofty title, the Utopia album is not an exploration of what makes the perfect society. Rather, the music considers the ways in which we all seek to find happiness, both in others and in ourselves. This can be the visceral feeling of a new romance or the quiet solace of letting someone go.
Utopia explores these themes through the story of a pandemic-fueled love affair. Both abstract and relatable, Utopia is the band fully realizing its sonic and lyrical potential.
Watch the official music video for “Fever Dream” by Mystery Friends on YouTube:
Forming in 2017, the DC-based synth pop band Mystery Friends initially drew heavily on the likes of LCD Soundsystem, Talking Heads, and other dancy post-punk acts. Over the years (and through a few lineup changes due to the demographic churn of DC), the band’s sound has evolved from the funky guitar-focused minimalism of its early tracks toward a more lush and propulsive synth pop that allows lead singer Abby Sevcik’s magnetic vocals to truly shine.
The band has been anchored by Sevcik and fellow founding member Dave Mohl (synth/guitar). Even though they come from different musical backgrounds, the duo quickly found these differences make each song far greater than the sum its parts. In the waning days of the pandemic, Mystery Friends began recording new songs with Jay Nemeyer (the band’s other guitarist) and producer/engineer Kyle Downes. What began as a few singles eventually became the 10 tracks that make up the band’s second full-length album Utopia. It was certainly worth the wait.
Mystery Friends
W/ Kinda Evil
The Atlantis
Friday, Jan. 26
Doors @ 6:30pm
$20
All ages