Exclusive: Gringo Star Share Bouncy New Single “Mister Mystery”

Premiering today at Paste, “Mister Mystery” comes from Gringo Star’s forthcoming album Back To The City, due out Aug. 24. Bandmates Peter and Nick Furgiule, Josh Longino, and Mario Colangelo blend influences from psychedelic and surf rock, doo-wop and, on Count Yer Lucky Stars, Latin music, to create their own style of garage rock. Their spontaneous, go-with-the-flow creation process, however, makes this collection of sounds feel natural.

“Mister Mystery” is a fun, bouncing song whose minimal lyrics make it easy to sing along with, but is better for jamming to while hanging out. The lead guitar riff weaves its way through the song and after one listen is well on its way to getting stuck in your head. The fast doo-wop “Oos” are playful and add to the song’s irreverent background.

“This song is about an out-of-shape Russian spy,” Peter Furgiuele tells Paste.

You won’t glean much more than that from the lyrics, but it’s undeniably funny and rather timely: “I smell the breath you blow,” and “All those guns blazing hot,” stand out among the lyrics.

Back To The City is the first album by Gringo Star to feature multi-instrumentalist Josh Longino, who hops in and out of the rhythm section with ease as he moves between guitar, bass, percussion and vocals. The record also expands with the addition of strings by Dave Claassen and adds orchestral influences into the band’s already-diverse sonic background. You can preorder the album here.