DownTown Mystic returns with “Maybe Love’s A Crime,” a new single coming October 9 which takes an unexpected turn following the success of the “Mystic Highway Road Trip” EP. The album is steeped in the traditions of American rock ’n’ roll, with veteran musicians, a killer shuffle and a piano performance that lends a unique flavor to the band’s established vintage-meets-modern identity. For an artist whose sound is rooted in classic songwriting, this latest release shows that familiar influences can still take you somewhere new.
“Maybe Love’s A Crime” has a sense of movement to it that differentiates it from the expectations of the previous EP. DownTown Mystic doesn’t tread familiar ground so much as find a groove defined by rhythm, melody and the natural chemistry of seasoned players. The result is a record that relates to rock’s eternal traditions without getting stuck in nostalgia. The setup has a lived-in feel, giving the music room room to breathe but keeping the energy that has defined the project.
Keyboardist Jeff Levine (Joe Cocker, Hall & Oates) is a highlight. His piano work adds some character and momentum, giving the recording a lively, almost timeless quality. Drumming legend Steve Holley (Paul McCartney, Elton John) joins forces with bassist Paul Page (Ian Hunter, Dion) to nail the track's classic shuffle. The band says the rhythm section did its part in one take, which contributes to the spontaneous feel of the recording.
The groove itself came from a conversation between DownTown Mystic writer/producer Robert Allen and bassist Paul Page. Allen had been thinking about different rhythmic directions, and before Page suggested a shuffle based on his experience working with rock ’n’ roll legend Dion, The reference hit home for Allen, who has long been a fan of Dion’s music. The exchange helped shape the arrangement, showing how musical instincts and shared influences can guide a recording to its most potent identity.
DownTown Mystic has been honing its identity along a vintage-meets-modern style with influences from artists such as Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen, but with the storytelling nature of American rock. The sound of the project also conjures up the spirit of Buffalo Springfield and Rockpile with vintage guitars, analog recording techniques and contemporary energy. “Maybe Love’s A Crime” fits comfortably in that lineage, but with a different shade of expression, backed by musicians whose experience brings both precision and personality to the performance.
The new single contains two songs, one of which is a TV Mix, which adds another point of interest for those examining its arrangement and presentation. “Maybe Love’s A Crime” sees a desire to move forward rather than rehashing a winning formula after “Mystic Highway Road Trip.” A welcome addition to DownTown Mystic’s catalog, its blend of piano-led character, a classic shuffle, and unforced rock ’n’ roll energy celebrates the enduring appeal of musicians playing together with intent and conviction.
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