MICO Creates "DREAMBOY": a New Persona

When the lights turn on Album Artwork

MICO, the “Internet Hometown Hero,” is inviting his listeners to look past the rockstar facade with the release of “DREAMBOY,” featured on his debut album When the lights turn on, which will be available to listeners on June 26. With “DREAMBOY” and “Like You Mean It,” this Toronto-based artist has invited his fanbase to the small town of Stillville. Stillville appears to be a quiet Americana suburban community, but this town may not be what it seems. Delving deeper into the site, fans can find information about the town including details about The Wall, a Stillville landmark according to the website's author, also featured in “Like You Mean It.” By clicking through the menu tabs, you can even find a bus schedule later revealed to be hidden dates for MICO’s fall tour. We don’t want to give away too many spoilers, so you can uncover more of Stillville’s secrets here.

MICO peels back the walls of this town in “Like You Mean It,” painting a perfect image. The music video gives major “Truman Show” vibes as we follow MICO through this story. In the beginning, MICO seems to enjoy his life in this cute town where every day is perfect, and none of the neighbors he interacts with appear to have any flaws. As we progress, bizarre phenomena occur around MICO like mailboxes multiplying and his friend even flying up into the air like a kite. MICO is now trapped in this town as the perfect shell of Stillville begins to shatter, questioning the reality of the town itself.

MICO uncovers layer after layer of secrets within his relationship just like uncovering parts of Stillville. He pleads with his lover, “I can't be the only good thing that you got / So love me like you mean it / Not like you need it.” He yearns for a true love, not one that is codependent. Parallels are drawn to Stillville, with the outside appearance presenting like rainbows and sunshine but lacking real substance behind the facade, causing the hollow image to fall short. In the end, the color fades from his love interest in the music video just like his real relationship. The honeymoon phase has ended and reality sinks in to reveal the cracks that are breaking the relationship apart.

MICO acknowledges and accepts the downfall of his relationship: “Just watch the story play out / Can't change the path we paved out.” If only his significant other knew the consequences of their actions. Relationships start to crumble when they are onesided, but in reality, they’re all about give and take. If one person is holding on desperately but the other does not reciprocate, it becomes an uphill battle bound for tragedy.

Photo Courtesy of @micotoronto

Similarly, if one side pushes a narrative and persona onto the other, it can become suffocating to live up to that image. In “DREAMBOY,” MICO captures this concept perfectly with “You treat me like a shiny toy to reach for / But I'm not the ‘give-you-everything-you need’ boy / So dream more.”

Not only are relationships two-sided, they need a foundation of trust and acceptance. No one will ever be perfect and that is the beauty of love: we love someone despite their flaws. When someone decides to adopt an “I can fix them” attitude with their romantic relationship, it creates tension (and not the good kind). “I talk, then you'll get mad / If I'm not what you imagined / So let me shut you up before you speak more / ’Cause I don't wanna be another dream boy.” It is clear that MICO is tired of putting his mask on to appease the expectations put on him. Maybe it is time to show the world the real MICO with this new release!

Photo Courtesy of Columbia Records

As he anticipates his full album release, MICO has been booked and busy, performing at UC San Diego’s annual Sun God Festival on May 2. He’ll continue performing in his home country of Canada in Edmonton, Alberta, and Montreal this summer as he gears up for his Running from a Feeling Tour this September. It kicks off in North America and will head to Asia and Australia. Previously, MICO played across the globe with his 2024 Cancel Your Plans Tour, continuing into 2025 with the Internet Hometown Hero Tour. We cannot wait to see what this new chapter has in store!

Are you catching one of MICO’s stops this fall? If so, where? Let us know in the comments below or connect with us over X or Instagram.

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Edited by Michelle Leung