A song titled “Don’t Smile At Me; I Might Fall In Love” can go one of two ways: A cutesy, twee pop song that’s a thinly-veiling flirtation, or an ominous, leaden threat — also known as STEFAN THEV style. The Brockton artist last week (May 16) released his new single, a downcast streak of alt-rock and grunge that shoulders the burden of deep-seated romantic attachment. The accompanying music video pairs THEV’s orders with a staticky string of visuals fit for a found-footage horror flick: Daggers, carrion, and THEV’s face doused in piercing red lighting. “I’m not complete ’til I fade to dust in your arms,” he sings in the second verse, illustrating the deep entanglement he’s trying to dodge. Hear the latest from THEV below, and catch him performing at Boston Calling on Sunday (May 26).
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