Andrew Hendryx delivers via Van Morrison cover “Into the Mystic”

It’s tough for any young artist to record a track that makes a big impact in this age where independent talent have an endless array of options when it comes to breaking into the spotlight, but it’s no small statement to say that it’s even harder to cover an iconic song without borrowing too much from the original – something that Andrew Hendryx does almost effortlessly in his new single “Into the Mystic.” A fresh version of the Van Morrison song of the same name, Hendryx’s “Into the Mystic” features none other than Dangermuffin’s Dan Lotti on lead vocals, and is as moving and respectful a cover song as they come, retaining the same blustery bassline that made the classic so instantly recognizable while updating its somewhat dated stylization to suit a more broadminded and diverse fan base. Anyone who has been following Andrew Hendryx over the years is more than aware of his tremendous depth of emotionality in his original music, and it translates remarkably well into this cover, despite the fact that it was penned nearly a half-century ago.

URL: http://www.andrewhendryx.com/

The master mix of this single is startlingly physical and textured, but I wouldn’t go as far as to call it aggressive in nature. Every part of the instrumentation is light and translucent, giving us easy access to the vocal track and its heavenly harmonies from the get-go. The vitality that we find in the mix rivals anything that the music is producing on its own, and though the combination of these elements makes for quite an intoxicating and surreal sonic cocktail, Hendryx is very careful to avoid the pitfalls of avant-garde experimentation by staying focused on the lush beats in the hook. Lotti’s chorus washes over us like a waterfall of melodies, and though they’re potent and collectively stirring, they hold just as much grandeur when stripped down and isolated from one another – something that this well-defined mix allows us to do without having to try all that hard. Music enthusiasts could spend a lot of time taking apart this track piece by piece if for no other reason than to bask in the warmth of its intricate detail, but for my money, I’m more than content to enjoy the cinematic qualities of this song in its completed, polished form.

Indie rock disciples who love astute balladry of the old school variety will discover that Andrew Hendryx’s “Into the Mystic” is a must-listen in 2019, and not because of its intellectually provocative framing alone. You can tell that Hendryx put a lot of time and effort into this piece, both financially and physically, and though it will always be a cover of someone else’s song, it has an undeniably evocative stylization that is a product of his own fascinating inventiveness solely. I’ve listened to a lot of really good music so far this year, and without a doubt, this is one of the more cutting releases I’ve had the pleasure of giving a spin. Andrew Hendryx solidifies his status as a serious player in the underground here, and my gut tells me that it won’t be the last hit single we hear bearing his name.

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/track/37eisIIrkLOU7xHu4UD0Dg

Mindy McCall