The Midnight – Nocturnal

Review

Get ready to be transported to a neon-lit dreamscape with The Midnight's "Nocturnal," a synthwave treasure chest that's practically oozing with retrofuturistic vibes. This album's seven tracks are strung together like a series of late-night drives through a rainy city, each one dripping with nostalgia and the kind of longing that makes you want to slow dance with your shadow. "Shadows" kicks things off, setting a hauntingly beautiful tone that grabs you by the feels and doesn’t let go. Then there’s "Crystalline," with lush synths and pulsing rhythms that paint a vivid, Blade-Runner-esque rainy cityscape.

Midway through, "River of Darkness," featuring Timecop1983, adds a layer of delicious depth and complexity, while the title track "Nocturnal" serves up infectious, danceable beats that could get a disco ball grooving. The second half boasts "Light Years," a standout track with Nikki Flores that feels both nostalgic and anthemic—like a love letter to lost romances and starlit memories. Wrapping it all up is "Tokyo Night Train," which perfectly captures the essence of the city's neon-soaked nights. Through introspective lyrics and cinematic soundscapes, "Nocturnal" conjures vivid images of urban landscapes and the souls who wander them. It’s a total vibe, trust me. - Tegan