80s nostalgia with The Midnight
Synthwave band 'The Midnight' pays homage to the 80s pop culture better than any other artiste
Have you ever felt that the world needs more saxophone solos like "Careless Whisper?"
I did. Then in the infinite ocean of the internet, I came across a pop duo named 'The Midnight.' The band is as retro as any artiste can get in 2020. Not to mention their piercing saxophone tunes that took my breath away.
The Midnight, consisting of Tim Tyler McEwan and Jamison Tyler Lyle, could be dubbed as "a love letter to the 80s." With four albums: Kids, Days of Thunder, Monsters, and Endless Summer, this band has earned an impressive cult following.
"Mono no aware", a Japanese term which translates to " wishful thinking of impermanence," is a mental state where things are fleeting, and we can never relive the past. The Midnight's music hinges on this very philosophy and it might just be an antidote to all our nostalgia cravings.
At first, their music might seem a little pretentious while trying to cash in on the nostalgia rush. But, once you explore their discography, you will realise how genuinely good they are at capturing the spirit of a bygone era.
Lyle and McEwan's song writing chemistry is anything to die for. Long choruses, lyrics that hit right in the feels, and originality make them stand out from copycat acts.
Apart from the composition, their music videos presenting a touch of retro is like a cherry on top. Instead of making official videos, they just splice old movies with their songs. Surprisingly, the songs blend well with old movie montages. It does not quite look like a fan-made video at all.
The rise of artistes like The Midnight has spearheaded a "synth" revolution of some sort. Many people are trying out this genre to evoke nostalgia, some succeeded even. But, The Midnight is clearly steps ahead of other acts, thanks to their steadily growing fanbase.
Smooth, flirtatious saxophone solos are a staple of The Midnight's songs. Once you get a hang of it, you would not bother to listen to it on loop.
Their songs are rife with pop culture references. Ever thought a song would be named after the horror movie character "Jason Voorhees?" Thankfully, The Midnight has done it. "Gloria," another hit by the band, uses clips from "Back to the Future." The anime lover in you will definitely dig the video of "Vampires," which eerily shadows an official soundtrack of the anime movie "Wicked City."
The guitars of their song resemble that of Def Leppard or Whitesnake, two 80s bands prominent for their squeaking guitar tones.
Just like any other trend, the rise of retro styled music will fade away. But I am bold enough to say The Midnight are here to stay, even after the synthwave boom is over.
Recommended playlist
1. Vampires
2. Days of Thunder
3. Prom Night
4. The Collateral
5. Sunset