Before we begin, let me ask you: have you heard a one-of-one record? Today is your lucky day because Midnite Radio’s EP ‘Auntie’ can be a great contender for that title.
We start with ‘Reboot the Drought.’ What I specifically like about this track is its hypnotic and uneasy feel. The first few seconds feel and sound uneasy, like it should not be the right thing to play, but it works very well because of its interesting approach in arrangement and composition. In today’s landscape, this arrangement is fresh off the box.
‘Fear No Stars’ has this new wave meets grunge sound because of the overall arrangement, vocal approach, and the unusual musical elements added to it. A prime example is the orchestra sample, the chord progression, and the keyboard samples. The chorus hook is interesting because of its sudden flow change.
Each section brings a different flavor to the song, and I have to be honest, this sounds like it was created and stored in the studio for quite a while because of the meticulousness of the overall package.
‘Backwards’ has this groovy bass line that perfectly supports the drum pattern and the guitar lick. All the sections work hand in hand to create this uneasy, groovy, and amazing tune. The chorus vocals were dubbed twice, creating this hypnotic/psychedelic feel that perfectly encapsulates what is happening in the track.
‘Quench’ is by far, has the most straightforward intro of the EP. I appreciate the distorted vocal effect on this track because it emulates the new wave sound alongside the simple but effective arrangement from that era. I call it the running bass drum pattern.
The chorus hook is short but catchy. You can easily distinguish each section. It feels and sounds like it was taken from the early to late 2000s playbook because of the arrangement and the flow of the track.
‘Breath’ didn’t waste any time and started the verse at the two-second mark. What’s interesting about this track is its ‘dragging down the stairs’ feel. I think it’s because of the chord progression used in the verses.
When the chorus hits, it becomes a bit aggressive but still has that new wave feel because of the distorted bass tone and distorted vocal effect alongside that running feel drum pattern. The overall arrangement of these tracks is spot on because of their quality and uniqueness.
And to end the EP. We have this bass-driven track, ‘Paradise.’ The bass line in this song is really good. I think the way it’s mixed has a meaning too, since this is a bass-driven track, it needs to copy that same sound. If you listen closely, the vocals are a bit buried in the mix. You can hear how invested the producer/s are in this track.
Midnite Radio’s EP ‘Auntie’ is a passion project for the passionate artist. The way the songs are arranged, recorded, mixed, and created is unlike any other songs that are being released in today’s scene. You can hear that these guys dedicated their time efficiently to make this a one-of-one EP.
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About the Author
He has been in the music industry for two and a half decades. Currently, he plays bass guitar for a rock-reggae band called EnjointPh and a funk-fusion trio called Banky. He also hosts a podcast titled Usapang Musiko with Ervin Besana, which explores topics such as music, arts, and philosophy.
