According to Sonic Slang, "The Mystic Underground's retro, brit pop sound is influenced perhaps most heavily by synth acts like Erasure and very early Depeche Mode. Lead singer/songwriter Vladimir Valette's vocals, in particular, evoke the heyday of the former while Benedetto Socci lays down pulsing, hit-worthy beats." Obscure Sound had this to say about The Mystic Underground: "My favorite song at the moment from them is Athletes , which appears to be an obvious destined single...As the song gains momentum and the chorus explodes into a frenzy, Valette appears to be talking growing up in general: 'the talk of the town and the boys' bathroom walls,' 'the stories spun in the gym, they circulate through the school, and now we're scarred for life.' The topic is widely recognizable and the song is very memorable and catchy."