MICO Creates Captivating World with Debut Album ‘When the lights turn on’
- Angela Hom
- Jun 29
- 7 min read
With the release of When the lights turn on on June 26, MICO unveils his debut album, inviting his fans, the Amicos, to explore the inner workings of his past year. The Toronto-based artist has always sought to bring listeners on a thematic journey with his music, and this album does not disappoint. Whether it is through a heartbreaking tell-all or an anger-filled anthem, MICO’s new release introduces us to a new vulnerable side of himself.
This ten-track album depicts the rise and fall of relationships paired with an existential crisis. Fans can expect MICO’s classic pop-rock sound with this release, with small twists along the way. Like past projects, MICO takes his listeners on an emotional journey into his psyche. Credited with producing many of the album's tracks, MICO displays his growth not only as an artist but also as a producer.
“Open up your eyes” starts off the record with a syncopated beat reminiscent of MICO’s familiar pop-rock feel similar to “HOMESICK.” In this opening song, MICO is shooting his shot with someone he’s getting mixed signals from. He is subtly hinting at this relationship becoming more. “Yeah, I know you're scared to just give it a try / I'm not tryna change your mind / But just open up your, just open up your eyes.” Often in the flirting stage, people say crazy things to convince the other to give the pairing a try. Here, MICO is not promising anything but simply a chance at a connection. “I'm not tryna change your mind / I'm not tryna save your life.”
With a flawless transition, “Like you mean it” leans into a softer, acoustic-forward feel. In this second track, MICO has begun his journey in a new relationship. He got everything he was hoping for, or so he thought, as it has become clear this person has become suffocatingly dependent on him. “I can't be the only good thing that you got / So love me like you mean it / Not like you need it.” MICO is yearning for true reciprocation of his love, but this new love is holding onto merely an image of their connection. Both parties are aware of the flaws in their relationship, but only time will tell if they can grow from this or crumble. “You've been searching for a reason not to end it / You've been holding on when everything is shaking / You've been saying that it's better, but you're faking.”
“Do it all again,” MICO’s third pre-release single, offers a closer look at his impulsive side. An infectious, upbeat melody masks the dark, uneasy undertones in the lyrics. This self-proclaiming prophecy shows how MICO is not so innocent when it comes to the problems of this relationship. “I let you take my time / Get your face on mine / I could say goodbye / But I'll / Do it all again.” Just like his partner’s co-dependency, MICO desires intimacy, but his intuition screams for him to run. Despite the contrast of MICO’s views, he admits to being a part of the problem in the bridge. “If you don't want it all, then baby, go and take a break / I swear, I'll keep you fallin' in and out like every night / Do it over every time, yeah, I'll never do it right.” Will this cycle end? And if it does, who is going to get hurt in the aftermath?
In a storytelling reverse of the opening track, “WHY ARE YOU HERE” puts the courting position into the girl’s hands. Between mixed signals and the flirtatious club vibe, this song whips up the perfect storm for emotional chaos. Muted electric guitar and addictive rock-inspired drums develop the idea of MICO’s anguish. A mix of belting and speak-singing paints a textural contrast for the listener. This girl is playing with MICO in a game of cat and mouse, tempting him into her emotional trap. “So why are you here, tonight? / You're talking just to tempt me / You want me 'til you're ready to go.” He pleads for clarity with the tempting stranger. At the end MICO gives the choice to the girl, “If you're tryna leave, then come over / Whole night, I'm catching your vibe / The next it feels like I don't even know ya.”
Returning to a lighter, more upbeat soundscape, MICO is done playing games in “DREAMBOY.” No more flirting, no more expectations. Having long been transparent with his audience on social media, many of MICO's fans have created a persona of him in their minds, and this parasocial perception infects even his relationships. “You act like a fanatic / I talk, then you'll get mad / If I'm not what you imagined.” Going into this new romance, his internet persona seems to be the basis of this girl’s perspective of him, giving the pairing an unstable foundation. No one wants a relationship where you can never live up to expectations you can never fulfill, and MICO is tired of this preconceived character being pushed onto him. “‘Cause I don't wanna be another dream boy.” Many vocal layers pair with bouncy synths, allowing MICO to build out the track fully, utilizing silence and a satisfying resolution.
The sixth track introduces a new story with “OH!” This cathartic anthem brings out the existential crisis at the crux of When the lights turn on. This short song has a stylistic change as most of the substance of this tune can be found in the verses and bridge compared to the chorus. A journal entry baked into a song, it becomes clear that MICO is going through it, wondering whether or not his life is what it is supposed to be. “And it feels like shit when the lights turn on / And it all just hits when I sing those songs / And it makes me sick that it's all my fault (Oh) / But I can't just quit, no, I can't just quit.” Dreams are not always what they seem when you have achieved them, but hopefully MICO can find the silver lining in it all. The driving bassline and slow builds give the impression of running forward, without looking back or regretting the past.
Expanding on his existential crisis in a more heartfelt note is “Shoes.” After screaming at the top of his lungs in the last track, the seventh track is imposter syndrome wrapped in a down-to-earth cry session. A focus on acoustic guitar brings out MICO’s raw vocals, emphasizing his pain and insecurity. “'Cause when everything stops, but the ceiling fan in my room / The thought creeps in that the person I saw in the mirror can't fill my shoes.” MICO has achieved so much for a small independent artist from Toronto, and yet, in this song, he is questioning if he can live up to his new rockstar image. A beautiful picture of his inner thoughts can be found in the line: “I'd rather listen to a stranger live their life / And give them mine like trading places / As if I could escape it.”
Pivoting back to romance again, “Your favorite flowers” portrays love ending and the questionable process of becoming friends. “'Cause now that we're better / I still get to love you a different kind of way.” This slow, bittersweet ballad encapsulates the heartache of moving on and coming to terms with a relationship morphing into something new. It’s clear MICO still cares for this person enough to stay friends, but will the pain be too much to bear? “Never wanna make you cry / No, I never wanna hurt you twice / Never gonna say goodbye (Again).”
Heartbreak is never easy, especially when you were wholeheartedly devoted to the other. “Learning to love” conveys the long healing process after a finished relationship. MICO illustrates his grief and soul-searching post-breakup through the lyrics: “I'll never know how to say what I'm feeling / All I know is that it hurts when you're gone / It was hard to believe I could know what it was / But when I look in my arms, oh, it feels like I'm learning to love.” The stripped-down piano track once again highlights MICO’s emotionally-charged vocals. In the past MICO believed he would never change for love like in “glhf<3.” “I nevеr thought I'd be the person that's willing to changе / I like it better this way.”
With the final track, “Can’t keep crying,” MICO is done with being in his feels; it is time for acceptance. “So fuck if I'm the problem / Not like I could solve them / I don't wanna live with the consequence of winning.” There is a moment where you have to come to terms with your feelings, pick yourself up, and carry on with life. “The world moves on,” and there is no point in wallowing in your grief. This closing song shows MICO, and us, the light at the end of the tunnel; the pain is not gone, but there is a brighter future ahead. “It's harder to smile, but I can't keep crying.”
When the lights turn on is a transformative journey for MICO. The ups and downs of life have rocked MICO’s past year since his last release of Internet Hometown Hero, but this new chapter for his life is looking bright! Look forward to MICO bringing this project on tour with him this fall. And with the release, the story of Stillville, the ARG paired with this project, also comes to an end… or so we thought! For those who have not been following along with the ARG lore, Stillville is the fictitious town MICO and his team created as a visual pairing with the album. Already, hints of Stillville can be seen in upcoming promotional material, so it’s possible we'll be visiting the fictional town once more. More information about Stillville can be found here. With this album, MICO has come closer to mastering the art of creating huge, cohesive builds in his songs, which is only enhanced by his emotionally evocative vocal style. We can’t wait to see where he takes us next!
What will MICO and his team have in store for this project on tour? Prepare for the tour by listening to the full album here:
What are your favorite tracks from the album? Let us know in the comments below or connect with us over X or Instagram.
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Edited by Michelle Leung
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