Michael Vettraino’s “Chasing the Sub Lime” turns Political satire into a Synth-Pop spectacle
Michael Vettraino doesn’t just make music—he makes a statement. With his latest single, “Chasing the Sub Lime”, the Louisville-based artist crafts a synth-soaked takedown of Western culture, blending biting social commentary with a hypnotic, genre-bending sound. At a time when political discourse is often suffocated by noise, Vettraino offers a fresh, danceable invitation to engage—a postmodern critique disguised as a party track.
The track’s opening is deceptively subtle, pulling listeners in with an eerie, slow-burning synth line and vocal intro that feels like stepping into a surreal, neon-lit dreamscape. But make no mistake—this is only the calm before the storm. As the song unfolds, it morphs into a full-blown synth parade, bursting with layered textures, pulsating drum patterns, and an electrifying sense of movement.
Vettraino’s 80s influences are undeniable, with lush, analog-style synths and a sense of playful excess reminiscent of acts like L’Impératrice, Mk.Gee, and Jean Dawson. Rather than indulging in nostalgia, he repurposes these elements for something more urgent, more subversive. The result is a track that feels both retro and futuristic—a post-screen world anthem for the digital age.
Vettraino’s vocal delivery is as unique as the track itself. His voice moves between wry detachment and urgent intensity, as if he’s both inside the madness and commenting on it from afar. There’s a theatricality to his performance, a knowing wink that lets you in on the joke while also daring you to take a harder look at the world around you.
What makes “Chasing the Sub Lime” so brilliant is its ability to make social commentary feel exhilarating rather than heavy-handed. While the subject matter is weighty, the track itself never loses its sense of fun, creating a space where movement and meaning coexist. It’s a call to arms disguised as a synth-pop banger—a dancefloor revolution wrapped in flashing neon lights.
Vettraino has done something rare: he’s made protest music feel thrilling. Go ahead and enjoy it all for yourselves by clicking those links below to listen up and follow along.
Listen to "Chasing the Sub Lime"
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