Atlanta-based power rockers, The Tokyo Teens, take an introspective turn on their latest single “Dreaming of You”. This foreshadows the release of their new EP, It Hurts Too Much, produced by Grammy winning, Gold and Platinum awarded record producer, mixer, musician and songwriter Billy Hume. Accompanied by a somber, candlelit, and monochromatic music video, they lean into the foundations of 80’s synth pop ballads with a light gothic touch.
The music video vibes with an 80’s camp using dramatic cross dissolves that meld shots of front man, Jimmi B., dressed in a ruffled, high-collar shirt and a patterned blazer singing, at times, directly into the camera and off in the distance with big emotional hand gestures. For many of the main shots, he sits behind a large table covered with lit candles where he looks longingly at an old picture that the viewer never gets a proper look at. Behind him are more candles, a gargoyle statue, and a large, decadent cross. Imagery of Edgar Allen Poe comes to the forefront as he plays through this darker, and brooding dreamscape.
Musically, the synthesizers reign supreme creating a nice power ballad ambience that is mystic and entrancing. A steady groove keeps things moving as he seems to grieve over the loss of someone (or something) very personal. At the time he was writing this song, he says that “I was busy playing shows full time all over the world as a bass player and during that time had suffered some pretty devastating personal losses. I had decided to document my feelings in the form of song and leave my nicely paying gig to focus on my own music, no matter the cost.”
“Dreaming of You” is available now on major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and TIDAL. The accompanying music video is also available on YouTube.
Charlie Maybee is a dancer, musician, educator, and writer based in Charleston, South Carolina who currently teaches with the Dance Program at the College of Charleston. His primary work as an artist is with his performing collective, Polymath Performance Project, through which he makes interdisciplinary performance art that centers tap dance as the primary medium of expression and research. He also currently plays rhythm guitar for the Charleston-based punk band, Anergy, and releases music as a solo artist under the name Nox Eterna.
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