“Sublime and sultry” – Shaun Keaveny
“A potent blend of honeyed acoustic guitar, peculiarly placed electric reverb, and pertinent lyricism”
– Killing Moon, Track of the Day
“A perfect accompaniment for long journeys and a warm embrace within the cold snaps of late Spring… offer a balance of anxiety and hope within their nostalgia-soaked soundscape”
– Hard of Hearing Music
Brighton born, London based Midlight release their new single ‘Emergency Song’, their first since signing to new Brighton label Airdriver Records, with distribution from State 51.
The release builds on the momentum gained by continued support from BBC Radio 6 Music’s Shaun Keaveny and Tom Robinson. The release of the single comes with a visual interpretation that they have been working on with two filmmakers Adam Goott and Boran Demir. With the first run of vinyl selling out in record time, the band have released a new limited run of 10″ hand-cut vinyl, featuring the single with a B-side entitled ‘We Will Get Through / The Future’s Not Cancelled’ exclusive to the physical release.
Emergency Song was written at the very start of the pandemic, as the workings of society came to an abrupt halt. The song explores the crisis in a nuanced way, examining the experience of a character who’s in a position of power – someone who only knows what it is to live for today in a dog-eat-dog world. It’s built on acoustic and electric guitars, shaped by warm bass, driving drums and harrowing strings. Ireland’s distinct, crackling tone floats over eerie landscapes.
The band have a rich history, tracing their origins back to songwriting sessions in drummer Owen’s bedroom after school. Taking time to find their sound, they’ve arrived at something unique, composed of introspective lyrics and subtle melodies set against a backdrop of busy percussion. In the absence of live shows, they have spent 2020 recording in their self-built studio – the fruits of which are the brooding ‘Sink to the Level’ and aptly named ‘Pandemonium’.
Emergency Song / We Will Get Through / The Future’s Not Cancelled is out now on limited edition 10″ vinyl via Midlight’s Bandcamp.