One of my favourite songs of all time is Sunset by American Synthwave band, The Midnight. It’s a song that perfectly incorporates elements of modern synth wave to create a song that feels like a brilliant encapsulation of everything great about the 80’s into one nostalgic and immensely satisfying track. It’s one of those songs that perfectly summarises one of my favourite musical preferences. Upbeat music with melancholic and nostalgic undertones. And that’s exactly why Midnight Romance appeals to me so heavily.
I’ve been dying to write about this song from the moment it got released. Barely anyone knows of its existence and in all honesty I don’t blame them. The song arrived without much fanfare and I honestly wouldn’t have found it either if it weren’t for the power of random YouTube recommendations. It honestly proves the power of being in the right place at the right time. And the reason why this song has connected with me so heavily is because Midnight Romance basically sounds like a rewrite of Sunset with just enough slight changes to feel more substantial than a copy.
Opening with a some gorgeous hazy synths, Midnight Romance wastes no time in setting the atmosphere. From its opening moments it feels like you’ve been transported right back in time to the 80’s. The vocal work, production and even the music video all feel like they’ve been ripped right out of the wrong decade. The distorted guitar and extended intro that follows is pure bliss to my ears and is everything my retro loving self goes crazy over. It’s brilliant production and vocal performance feel absolutely timeless and manages to perfectly nail both the songs more propulsive and emotional moments. It manages to sell both moods with absolute finesse and the entire package just feels so effortlessly cool.
The chorus is similarly engaging, acting as a fully fleshed out hook whilst still proving the power of repetition. Lead man No Minue of TRAX fame has an incredible vocal texture and really helps transform the song into the brilliant 80’s throwback it is. It’s one of those songs that feels perfectly suited to late night drives and hits completely different if you blast it while driving through an empty road at midnight.
Verses: 8
Chorus: 9
Production: 9
Performance: 9
Final Rating: 8.75 / 10
KBopped 
Probably my favorite 80s song this year……
Wow, saying that felt weird
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It really feels like you’ve been put in a time machine doesn’t it
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IKR, I have nostalgia for an era in which I was not yet born!
Pop Musical Golden Ages:
America: 1980s
Korea: 2000s
India: 1950s-70s
Japan: 1990s
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Agreed with most. But for me personally the 2000’s would be the gold age for Japan. Mainly cause so many of my earliest musical addictions were from that era!
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I mean ya, it is basically a draw
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This is a great critique of music!
I felt similar to you, while listening to these songs too.
But I think of the location when I’ve walked outside alone at midnight and The Midnight Romance’s songs were falling into my ears.
This is the romantic sounds of love and It’s like the nostalgia of loneliness that embrace my feelings. At the same time, it gives me feeling chic like fashion too.
Thank you 미나로 Band! ㅇㅅㅇ
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