ALBUM REVIEW: Midnight Swim – Midnight Swim
Coming out of a furious blend of 2000’s pop-punk nostalgia and 2020’s modern day alternative, Manchester outfit MIDNIGHT SWIM are using all the inspirations from the past and present to give a slice of what they are preparing the future to sound like. With the power of combined talents and a collective northern soul, and a dash of emotional vulnerability, enter the self-titled Midnight Swim.
Wanting to bring back that bouncy mosh-worthy music that dominated the noughties’ airwaves, they ease their way in with opening track Tease. “One more time for old times’ sake”, vocalist JACK VALENTINE sings as the song dives into themes of love, lust, yearning for that human connection that everyone becomes vulnerable to. It’s a strong punk hit and as the opener to the record, it makes for a fantastic first impression. With powerful chanting vocals matching with the electric power of the instrumental surroundings. Fading out with a strong guitar riff, it leads through to the next offering, Play It Cool (Wanting More).
The production takes a leap up with Play It Cool (Wanting More), as VALENTINE plays with distorted vocals and harmonising throughout. A more melodic helping than the predecessor, this is a greater example of how they take what they have learnt and listened to and added a twist. A whole new flavour to an existing recipe. It breathes new life into a genre that many would call dead and buried, but think less as a zombie and more as a reincarnation. It’s bringing back the feeling of young love and midday dreaming; being youthful with all of life ahead of oneself and all the time in the world.
The utilisation of raw human emotion and creative translation of such is something that is scattered throughout the record, in a variety of ways. From throwing down chesty growls throughout Don’t Wanna Talk About It, to the rollercoaster of soft in the heart and bursts of extreme feeling in Sinners, and beyond. Characterising the rise and fall of temperament is a classic move in pop-punk: shredding guitar riffs turning acoustic during pre-choruses, or steady drum beats turning into a thunderstorm as a song reaches its climax. It’s what makes the sub-genre such a strong one that resonates with people more than any other. It’s one that prides itself on baring all and refusing to hide away and be quiet.
If there was one standout track of this self-titled sequence, it would be the contemporary alt-rock track The Last Song I’ll Write About You. With the stylistic vibes of modern pop-rock à la WATERPARKS, and an artsy lyricism that reflects the FALL OUT BOY influence, this is what one may label as a ‘stereotypical’ alternative song. But stereotypical is not a bad descriptor, it means that everything is checked off the list. The sound is fully actualised and for a debut record, that fleshed-out sense is one to praise the band for.
MIDNIGHT SWIM are just getting started but they’ve already gone a ways down the road to success. With a very catchy, very fun, yet very emotional record, they’ve made an opening statement to the industry. There’s no telling what their next move will be, but whatever they do next, they will be ready and they will be rocking.
Rating: 8/10
Midnight Swim is out now via Self-Release.
Like MIDNIGHT SWIM on Facebook.