In the song “Maybe It’s Me” from New York rockers, The Misters, the listener gets a grasp of the band’s bold sound, and an earshot of their emotional state-of-mind. From the album The Misters- TO-GO, “Maybe It’s Me” is a tune tightly wound in rock, synth-pop and jazz.
Calling New York City home, The Misters channel that lively energy and slight noir into their sound. Lead vocalist, Michael Nitting (also helms rhythm guitar), sounds like a cross between Keane’s Tom Chaplin, Nick Drake and a refined Elliot Smith. Completing the band are Jim White (lead guitar, keys), Brent Crude (bass guitar and synth) and Todd Martin (drums and percussion). The Misters worked with Grammy winner Nolan Thies and Grammy nominated, Alex Saltz. The band’s cohesive sound could be found in the modern streets of Brooklyn, echoes of haberdasheries and steampunk copper gripping their way into 2020. They have a way of sounding vintage without feeling like you’re coughing from the dust or the trying to polish the patina. They have grappled their own unique modern sound and the listener can’t let go.
The chorus “maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe it’s me” is quite simple enough. The story’s meat comes near the end of the song with the thrice repeated “if I can’t love myself, loving you will never help, if you felt the way I felt, you’d have to love something body else.” It occurred to me after a few listens that the song is coming from their perspective, but it’s not illogical to think that they could be singing it from the other person’s perspective. As confusing has love can be, the audacity to share one’s true feelings is not easy. Especially if it’s someone that you’ve been in a long term relationship with and you’ve changed. You haven’t changed together. I’m seeing this theme of self-evaluation a bit more in music, and it’s certainly nothing new, but The Misters’ take on it is certainly unique. Their sound is extraordinary, and while listening, I felt so in-the-moment and in tuned with each note, each lyric.
DSP – https://soundcloud.com/musicbythemisters/maybe-its-me-1/s-cxCsJwEPMVD
The music bed both alluring and intensely guitar focused. At times though, there’s this tip toeing piano that brightens some of the vibe, as if the mindful moments of clarity in a relationship are popping through the surface. It’s a seamless transition. The rhythm sections are thinner, and quicker than your normal rock track. I think the guitar and the snyth base line give the sound that raunchier, soaking up all the stains and grime from NYC-streets’ tones.
“Maybe It’s Me” doesn’t hesitate. The common thread, the humanistic side to this song touches the heart. We’ve all had those insecurities, those hesitant moments where we think we wanted something only to find out, that maybe we needed to work on our own happiness before we can truly be happy. I think that’s why this song will have such a strong rapport with listeners. The Misters’ emphatic track is a great way to beat the summer heat – it’s easily one of 2020’s best tracks.
Gwen Waggoner
