Jack Goldstein delivers “MUD MICE,” a lead single that sets up camp in your ears. The track might just be the catchiest, most infectious piece of music he’s ever unleashed, yet it’s rooted in something far stranger and older than your average pop hook. “MUD MICE” draws its mysterious inspiration from the titular half-dust, half-flesh creatures of Jewish folklore beings that blur the lines between the earthly and the uncanny. You can almost hear the grit in their teeth, the shuffle of their tiny feet, and the unsettling charm they carry as they scuttle between the living world and something else entirely.
What’s fascinating is how Goldstein takes a concept steeped in myth and shapes it into something irresistibly modern. The rhythm has a twitchy energy, a pulse that refuses to sit still, as if the song itself is alive and breathing in the shadows. It’s bright enough to hum along to after a single listen, but the lyrics and atmosphere keep you glancing over your shoulder. That tension between catchy and creepy is where Goldstein shines here, the result is a track that sticks in your head for both its tune and its strange mood. Fans of his past work will recognize the magic he’s known for, but “MUD MICE” feels bolder, tighter, and more focused than ever.
It’s as if Goldstein has found the perfect balance between his experimental leanings and pure pop instinct, making this an ideal gateway for new listeners while still satisfying those who’ve been along for the ride from the start. “MUD MICE” is a small legend revival disguised as a banger. It’s proof that you can take a dusty, mysterious tale and spin it into something that not only resonates today but demands to be played again and again. If this is the tone-setter for the album, then Goldstein’s next chapter promises to be as mischievous and magnetic as the creatures that inspired it.