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2022 album by The Midnight

From The Floppy Disk

Tim McEwan

McEwan in 2018
Tim McEwan
McEwan performing live with The Midnight in 2018
McEwan performing live with The Midnight in 2018
Background information
Birth nameTim Daniel McEwan
Also known asData, iAmData, Varsity Blue
Born (1979-09-16) September 16, 1979 (age 46)
Copenhagen, Denmark
Genres
  • Electronic
  • Pop
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • record producer
Instrument(s)
  • Drums
  • synths
  • vocals
Years active1999–present
Member of

Tim Daniel McEwan (born September 16, 1979) is a Danish drummer, songwriter, and producer. He is the primary producer and songwriter of The Midnight.

McEwan grew up in a musical family and started drumming at a young age. Around the age of 17, he began producing and did a few productions in his native Denmark. In 2008, he joined the Danish production group Deekay and began writing and producing for many popular artists.[1][2]

In 2012, McEwan met Tyler Lyle at a songwriting workshop in Los Angeles. The two made an instant connection and began writing songs. McEwan and Lyle formed The Midnight and self-released their first extended play (EP) in 2014 and have continuously released music since.

Early Life

McEwan was born in Copenhagen, Denmark to Tom McEwan and Terese Damsholt. His father is an actor and musician and his mother is an actress. He has a brother, Oliver, who is also a musician. Being the son of a musician, McEwan was exposed to music from a young age, having access to a guitar, drum, and piano at home growing up. He started playing the drums as an adolescent and began producing at the age of 17.[3]

Career

Throughout the early 2000s, McEwan produced a few songs and did some remixes.[4] He gained higher prominence in 2008, writing and producing several songs on Show the World, the debut album from Danish singer and The X-Factor winner Martin.[5] Also in 2008, McEwan became a member of the production/songwriting team Deekay,[1][2] a Danish-based outfit that has written and produced songs for many popular artists including Jordin Sparks, Sugababes, JLS, and New Kids on the Block.[6] In 2009, McEwan served as the drummer for Niels Brinck, who performed the song Believe Again as part of Denmark’s entry to that year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The song made the contest final where it finished in thirteenth place.[7]

McEwan has stated that his musical influences include Avicii, deadmau5, Porter Robinson, Dirtyloud, Arty, and Mat Zo.[8]

The Midnight

Still residing in Denmark, McEwan visited Los Angeles in 2012 and met Georgia based singer-songwriter Tyler Lyle at a songwriter’s workshop in North Hollywood organized by Katie Donovan, Lyle’s A&R representative at the time.[9] Prior to meeting, McEwan had listened to some of Lyle’s previous work and liked Lyle’s folk sound. The two began writing songs and on McEwan’s suggestion, based their sound on 80s synth, having prior exposure to the synthwave genre and being inspired by the movie Drive. Their first song written as a duo was WeMoveForward,[9][10] and their first release as a band under The Midnight moniker was the 2014 extended play Days of Thunder. McEwan is the primary producer and songwriter in The Midnight. While Lyle is the primary vocalist and lyricist, McEwan wrote the lyrics and sang the vocals on the songs Synthetic and Comet.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Multi-platinum Record Production Team Deekay – Pro Music Magazine – Inside the Music Business". Pro Music Magazine. September 21, 2008. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Multi-platinum Record Production Team Deekay". My Hit Online. Archived from the original on September 21, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  3. "THE MIDNIGHT: Tim McEwan And Tyler Lyle On Bringing 'Monsters' To Life!". Icon Vision. July 9, 2020. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  4. "April 1, 2010". Discogs. Archived from the original on May 30, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  5. "Martin – Show The World (2008, CD)". Discogs. May 30, 2008. Archived from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  6. "Credits - DEEKAY Music". Deekay Music. January 1, 2022. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  7. "BT TV: McEwan-brødre skal føre Brinck til sejr | BT Underholdning - www.bt.dk". BT. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  8. "The Midnight on Seminal Album "Monsters" and the Volcanic Potential of Synthwave Culture [Interview] - EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists". EDM.com. August 18, 2020. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  9. 9.0 9.1 "Who Are The Midnight?: An Interview with the Masters of Modern Nostalgia". Vehlinggo. November 12, 2017. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  10. "Retrowave Sessions Ep 2: The Midnight - YouTube". YouTube. May 30, 2019. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2022.

External links

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Clean Eyes (The Midnight Remix)

Syml clean eyes single.jpg
"Clean Eyes (The Midnight Remix)"
Syml clean eyes single.jpg
Remix by SYML
ReleasedFebruary 8, 2019 (2019-02-08)
Length3:52
LabelNettwerk Music Group
Songwriter(s)Brian Fennell

Clean Eyes is song originally by SYML that was remixed by The Midnight. The remix was released as a single on February 8, 2019.[1]

The remix has a running time of three minutes and 52 seconds and is in the key of A minor. The original song Clean Eyes is from the album SYML.[2] It was written by Brian Fennell.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Brian Fennell.

Clean Eyes (The Midnight Remix)
No.TitleLength
1."Clean Eyes (The Midnight Remix)"3:52
2."Clean Eyes (The Midnight Remix) (Instrumental)"3:54
Total length:7:46

Lyrics

Picture yourself in a room full of broken glass
Blood on the pieces, the pieces you can't put back
A little white light in a sea gone black
My head is a room and the room's full of broken glass
You can't change me, can you save me?

Oh, clean eyes, breakin' my heart in all the right ways and
No, I don't mind, clean eyes
(Clean eyes)
Oh, clean eyes, breakin' my heart and breakin' my chains and
I don't know why, clean eyes
(Clean eyes);

(Clean eyes)
(Clean eyes)

I'm a cynic, I told you, I fear what I don't believe
I don't know what this is, but this is a different beast
I check the lock on the door three times
Can't put my faith in what I can't describe
I'm a cynic, I told you, I don't believe

Oh, clean eyes, breakin' my heart in all the right ways and
No, I don't mind, clean eyes
(Clean eyes)
Oh, clean eyes, breakin' my heart and breakin' my chains and
I don't know why, clean eyes
(Clean eyes)

(Clean eyes)
(Clean eyes)

Oh, clean eyes, breakin' my heart in all the right ways and
No, I don't mind, clean eyes
(Clean eyes)
Oh, clean eyes, breakin' my heart and breakin' my chains and
I don't know why, clean eyes
(Clean eyes)
(Clean eyes)
(Clean eyes)

Lyrics source[3]

References

  1. "SYML - Clean Eyes (The Midnight Remix) - Single | Siren Records". Siren Records. February 8, 2019. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022.
  2. "SYML | SYML". Bandcamp. May 3, 2019. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  3. "The Midnight Clean Eyes (The Midnight Remix) Lyrics Genius Lyrics". Genius. Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.

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Heroes

Heroes - Album.jpg
Heroes
Album by
ReleasedSeptember 9, 2022
Genre
  • Synthwave
  • Electronic
  • Rock
  • Americana
Length56:47
LabelCounter Records
ProducerTim McEwan
The Midnight chronology
The rearview mirror - ep.jpg
The Rearview Mirror

(2021)
Heroes - Album.jpg
Heroes

(2022)
Red White Bruised - Album.webp
Red, White and Bruised: The Midnight Live

(2023)
Singles from Heroes
  1. "Change Your Heart or Die"
    Released: April 14, 2022
  2. "Heartbeat"
    Released: June 8, 2022
  3. "Avalanche"
    Released: July 6, 2022
  4. "Brooklyn. Friday. Love."
    Released: August 3, 2022
  5. "Heart Worth Breaking"
    Released: August 24, 2022
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Daily Express[2]

Heroes is the fifth album by The Midnight. It is was released on September 9, 2022.[3][4] Five singles were issued from Heroes prior to the album's release: Change Your Heart or Die, Heartbeat, Avalanche, Brooklyn. Friday. Love., and Heart Worth Breaking.

Background and composition

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This wiki article is currently being worked on. More info will be added soon.

Heroes is the culmination of a trilogy that began with Kids and Monsters. The writing sessions during Kids yielded many songs and ideas that did not make the album due to time constraints, so it was decided to extend the story arc of Kids across multiple albums.[5]

In early 2021, Tim McEwan began streaming the creation of new songs on Twitch. Several of the songs previewed during those sessions found their way to Heroes. Aside from Twitch, previews and hints of new material on the band's other social media platforms was minimal compared to previous The Midnight releases.

During the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 Tour, The Midnight began playing a new song, Change Your Heart or Die. The song was teased as being on the next record.

Official description

“The last 2 years have been so hard for so many people. ‘Heartbeat’ is a reminder that love and empathy is not a finite resource. There is love enough.” – The Midnight

8th June 2022 – The Midnight are thrilled to be announcing their new full-length studio album Heroes – due out September 9th via Counter Records. Along with the news, the band is releasing the celebratory new single “Heartbeat” – a rousing and electrifying track that helps set the tone for the album, which was written during isolation by the band’s Tim McEwan and Tyler Lyle. Heroes represents a clear sonic shift for the duo, who have expanded their lineup to include three live musicians – Lelia Broussard on bass, Royce Whittaker on guitar, and Justin Klunk on saxophone and synth – with both Broussard and Whittaker working alongside them on the new LP which was produced by McEwan and mixed by Ingmar Carlson (Tate McCrae, Disclosure, Carly Rae Jepsen).

Heroes is also the third in a trilogy of albums that started with 2018’s Kids – which reached #1 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Chart – and was followed in 2020 with Monsters. “…for me, Kids is self-knowledge, Monsters is self-love, and then Heroes is empathy,” said Lyle. “I got into depth psychology and this idea of etiology, the way a human forms,” he said about Heroes, adding that “the world doesn't get better but we do. We grow into ourselves. We grow into our voice.”

You can hear this shift in the new songs which are more visceral and warmer. For a band that started as a synth-heavy duo, they have come a long way – creating fully realized arena worthy songs. From new single “Heartbeat” with its Van Halen-inspired synth leads, echoing drums, layered vocal chants and an explosive chorus to last month’s single, the propulsive guitar-laden “Change Your Heart or Die” – Heroes ushers in The Midnight’s next era with some of their biggest and boldest songs yet.

While taking a huge sonic step forward on Heroes, the band’s music still possesses the dramatic and nostalgic streak they’ve become known for since their 2014 debut in EP Days of Thunder. The new LP also reflects the confidence they’ve gained in their songwriting thanks in part due to their expanded live lineup. The band’s vivid sound is well-suited to full rock instrumentation, and the five-piece has cemented that in front on massive sold-out crowds this past year in 1-2k-capacity venues, up from 500-capacity clubs in 2019 and looking ahead to selling out London’s 5k-person Brixton Academy and similar sized venues in 2022.

Heroes is an album of songs about togetherness and trials won by love. Listen to both “Heartbeat” and “Change Your Heart or Die” now.

[4]

Singles

Heartbeat
June 8, 2022
Avalanche
July 6, 2022
Heart Worth Breaking
August 24, 2022

Media

Track listing

Heroes
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Golden Gate"6:04
2."Brooklyn. Friday. Love."3:52
3."Heartbeat"
  • Lyle
  • McEwan
  • Flores
  • Whittaker
3:50
4."A Place of Her Own"
  • Lyle
  • McEwan
5:33
5."Heroes"
5:13
6."Heart Worth Breaking"
  • Lyle
  • McEwan
  • Broussard
  • Whittaker
5:07
7."Loved By You"
  • Lyle
  • McEwan
3:44
8."Aerostar"
  • Lyle
  • McEwan
  • Whittaker
4:55
9."Change Your Heart or Die"
  • Lyle
  • McEwan
3:31
10."Avalanche"
  • Lyle
  • McEwan
  • Jessie Frye
4:27
11."Souvenir"
  • Lyle
  • McEwan
  • Whittaker
3:34
12."Photograph"
  • Lyle
  • McEwan
2:37
13."Energy Never Dies, It Just Transforms"
  • Lyle
  • McEwan
4:20
Total length:56:47


Heroes (Deluxe LP Version)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."Golden Gate (Demo)"
  • Lyle
  • McEwan
 
15."A Place of Her Own (Demo)"
  • Lyle
  • McEwan
 
16."Change Your Heart or Die (Live)"
  • Lyle
  • McEwan
 
17."Souvenir (Tyler's Version - 2019)"Lyle 
Total length:-

Recorded in Atlanta|GA and Los Angeles|CA
Mixed by Ingmar Carlson at The Gift Shop in Los Angeles|CA
Mastered by Emily Lazar at The Lodge in New York|NY

Charts

Chart (2022) Peak position
US Billboard 200 134
US Billboard Album Sales 8
US Billboard Current Album Sales 8
US Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums 3
US Billboard Heatseekers Albums 2
US Billboard Independent Albums 22
US Billboard Vinyl ALbums 4
UK Albums 74

Release history and variants

Digital release history for Heroes
Date Edition
September 9, 2022 Standard
Heroes - Album.jpg
-
October 28, 2022 Instrumentals
Heroes - Album.jpg
Includes both the original and instrumental versions.
Physical release history for Heroes
Year Format Color/Design
2022 Cassette Translucent Blue
Heroes Cass-case-grey.webp

Heroes Cass-jcard-grey.webp
First tape variant. Has fold out J-card insert.
2022 CD -
Heroes CD-front-grey 7827effd-fa0b-4a9d-aed7-04c25b6f26c8.webp
-
2022 LP Translucent Blue
Heroes LP-standard-front-grey.webp
One of the first vinyl variants, alongside the Marbled Violet Deluxe and Spotify Fans First Clear with Splatter variants. This variant was also available to buy signed by Tim and Tyler.
2022 LP Clear with Splatter
Heroes-LP Spotify-Front-grey shadows.webp
One of the first vinyl variants, alongside the Marbled Violet Deluxe and Translucent Blue variants. Designated as the "Spotify Fans First Edition". Top listeners of The Midnight on Spotify were emailed a link to buy this variant.
2022 LP Marbled Violet
Heroes LP-DLX-front-grey.webp
One of the first vinyl variants, alongside the Translucent Blue and Spotify Fans First Clear with Splatter variants. Designated as the "Deluxe Edition". Additional features of this variant include a third record with four bonus tracks, lenticular cover art, a sticker sheet, and a photo booklet. With the exception of Souvenir (Tyler's Version - 2019), the bonus tracks have not been released outside of this variant.

References

  1. "The Midnight - Heroes Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  2. Crumlish, Callum (September 8, 2022). "The Midnight: Heroes review - Saving music with their best album yet". Express.co.uk.
  3. "the midnight on Twitter". Twitter. June 8, 2022. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Heroes | The Midnight". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  5. Laing, Rob (September 1, 2022). "Interview: The Midnight's Tim McEwan and Tyler Lyle talk synthwave, soundscaping and new album Heroes | MusicRadar". MusicRadar. Archived from the original on September 8, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2022.

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