View source for The Midnight

[[File:The Midnight logo.png|right|frameless]]
[[File:Li-en ubel gefarhlich hamburg 20191027 221755 1.jpg|alt=The Midnight performing live|thumb|The Midnight performing live|400x400px]]
'''The Midnight''' is an [[wikipedia:United_States_of_America|American]] synthwave band originating from [[wikipedia:Los_Angeles|Los Angeles, California]], composed of producer [[Tim McEwan]] and vocalist/guitarist [[Tyler Lyle]]. Since forming in 2012, the band has released three extended plays (EPs), four albums, and two remix albums.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 4, 2020 |title=ｔｈｅ　ｍｉｄｎｉｇｈｔ on Twitter: "@tedkeyboard I’m afraid I have to correct on the definition on an EP. It’s determined by runtime of 30 mins or less. Neither Nocturnal nor Kids qualified as EPs as their runtimes are both over 30 mins. But that’s just mincing words. I get that it wasn’t for you and that’s also totally okay." / Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1246345079167447042 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324172339/https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1246345079167447042 |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |access-date=March 24, 2022 |website=Twitter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Music {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324173308/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/ |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |access-date=March 24, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref>

== Beginnings ==

Prior to forming The Midnight, Tyler Lyle and Tim McEwan were both established musicians. Lyle was an indie-folk singer-songwriter based in the state of [[wikipedia:Georgia|Georgia]] and gained initial notability with several self-released titles, becoming regionally and nationally known. McEwan was a drummer and producer based in [[wikipedia:Denmark|Denmark]], later becoming a member of the Danish production group [[wikipedia:Deekay|Deekay]] who has written and produced songs for many popular artists.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008 |title=Multi-platinum Record Production Team Deekay |url=http://www.myhitonline.com/Interview.aspx?id=14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921032458/http://www.myhitonline.com/Interview.aspx?id=14 |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |access-date=March 24, 2022 |website=myHitOnline}}</ref>

The pair met for the first time in 2012 at a songwriter’s workshop in [[wikipedia:North Hollywood|North Hollywood]] organized by Katie Donovan, Lyle’s A&amp;R representative at the time.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Vehling |first=Aaron |date=November 12, 2017 |title=Who Are The Midnight?: An Interview with the Masters of Modern Nostalgia |url=https://vehlinggo.com/2017/11/12/the-midnight-interview-nocturnal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324190301/https://vehlinggo.com/2017/11/12/the-midnight-interview-nocturnal/ |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |access-date=March 24, 2022 |website=Vehlinggo}}</ref> Before meeting, McEwan had listened to some of Lyle’s previous work and liked Lyle’s folk sound. Despite differing musical backgrounds, they bonded over a mutual love of 80s rock and began to write songs together. After initially struggling to define their sound, McEwan suggested that they compose songs in the synthwave style. McEwan had previous exposure to the burgeoning genre and was inspired by the movie [[wikipedia:Drive (2011 film)|Drive]]. The first song they wrote together was [[WeMoveForward]],<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 30, 2019 |title=Retrowave Sessions Ep 2: The Midnight - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9VPeEZKxlY&t=266s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324191102/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9VPeEZKxlY&t=266s |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |access-date=March 24, 2022 |website=YouTube}}</ref> which was included on their debut EP [[Days of Thunder]].

According to Lyle, the name &quot;The Midnight&quot; came from McEwan and himself throwing out random names until they found one that stuck.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 21, 2019 |title=We are The Midnight and we’re playing Electric Forest for the first time. Ask us Anything! : ElectricForest |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricForest/comments/brea4u/we_are_the_midnight_and_were_playing_electric/eod58sy/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324191551/https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricForest/comments/brea4u/we_are_the_midnight_and_were_playing_electric/eod58sy/?context=3 |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |access-date=March 24, 2022 |website=Reddit}}</ref> Other band names that they considered were &quot;Lightyears&quot;, &quot;Temporary Tigers&quot;, and &quot;The Midnight Tigers.&quot;

== Career ==

=== Days of Thunder ===
{{Main|Days of Thunder}} 
[[File:Days of thunder - ep.jpg|thumb|Days of Thunder EP cover]]
After the initial meeting in 2012, Lyle and McEwan continued writing together over the next two years and independently released their debut EP [[Days of Thunder]] on July 15, 2014.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2014 |title=Days of Thunder {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/days-of-thunder |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217081123/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/days-of-thunder |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref> The EP contains six tracks and was entirely written, produced, and mastered by Lyle and McEwan, with additional instrumentation provided by [[Thomas Edinger]] (saxophone) and [[Oliver McEwan]] (synths).

The band's sound and philosophy were self-described as follows:<ref name=":1" /> 
<blockquote><poem>There is a Japanese term: Mono no aware. It means basically, the sad beauty of seeing time pass - the aching awareness of impermanence. These are the days that we will return to one day in the future only in memories. How do we capture them? How could we possibly be able to fully appreciate them in the present? This project is our attempt to put time under glass. The Midnight is a marriage between a songwriter from the Deep South and a producer from Denmark who both live in Los Angeles. The songs were written in North Hollywood and Santa Monica over two years and represent the first fruit of The Midnight. This is our love song to our city and a testament to the weight these years can hold.
</poem>
</blockquote>

No singles from the EP were released prior to its release, but in 2016 the label Monstercat Silk issued singles for the songs [[WeMoveForward]] and [[Days of Thunder]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 28, 2016 |title=WeMoveForward (incl. Talamanca Remix) {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/wemoveforward-incl-talamanca-remix |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408214044/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/wemoveforward-incl-talamanca-remix |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 9, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 1, 2016 |title=Days Of Thunder {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/days-of-thunder-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408214016/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/days-of-thunder-2 |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 9, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref> The singles included the original songs and remixes that would later appear on the 2017 remix album [[The Midnight Remixed]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2017 |title=The Midnight Remixed {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/the-midnight-remixed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408214041/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/the-midnight-remixed |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 9, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref>

The instrumental version of ''Days of Thunder'' was released on March 20, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 20, 2016 |title=Days of Thunder (the instrumentals) {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/days-of-thunder-the-instrumentals |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408214018/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/days-of-thunder-the-instrumentals |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref>

=== Endless Summer ===
{{Main|Endless Summer}} 
[[File:Endless summer - album.jpg|left|thumb|Endless Summer album cover]]
On August 5, 2016, The Midnight independently released their first full-length album, [[Endless Summer]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 5, 2016 |title=Endless Summer {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/endless-summer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409144811/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/endless-summer |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref> Containing 12 tracks, ''Endless Summer'' saw the band collaborating with Los Angeles based singer-songwriter [[Nikki Flores]] for the first time, with Flores co-writing and performing vocals on the song [[Jason]]. The album received positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 25, 2016 |title=The Midnight’s Endless Summer is 2016’s Greatest ’80s Soundtrack (Review) - Opus |url=https://opuszine.us/reviews/endless-summer-midnight-2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408213959/https://opuszine.us/reviews/endless-summer-midnight-2016 |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=Opus}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2017 |title=In The Spotlight: The Midnight - "Endless Summer" - New Fury Media |url=https://thenewfury.com/in-the-spotlight-the-midnight-endless-summer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409093848/https://thenewfury.com/in-the-spotlight-the-midnight-endless-summer/ |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=New Fury Media}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zistler |first=Andrew |date=August 29, 2016 |title=The Midnight - Endless Summer - NewRetroWave - Stay Retro! {{!}} Live The 80's Dream! |url=https://newretrowave.com/2016/08/29/the-midnight-endless-summer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408213938/https://newretrowave.com/2016/08/29/the-midnight-endless-summer/ |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=NewRetroWave}}</ref>

Two singles were released from ''Endless Summer'' prior to the album's release: [[Sunset]], which released on May 13, 2016<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2016 |title=Sunset {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/track/sunset |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408214311/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/track/sunset |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 8, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref> and [[Vampires]], which released on June 10, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2016 |title=Vampires {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/track/vampires |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408214218/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/track/vampires |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref>

Monstercat Silk also released two singles from ''Endless Summer'' containing remixes: [[Sunset]], which released on August 7, 2017 <ref>{{Cite web |date=August 7, 2017 |title=Sunset (incl. Michael Cassette Remix) {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/sunset-incl-michael-cassette-remix |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408214037/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/sunset-incl-michael-cassette-remix |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 8, 2022 |website=Twitter}}</ref> and [[Synthetic]], which released on December 18, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2017 |title=Synthetic (Mango, We Are All Astronauts, Lost Empire Remixes) {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/synthetic-mango-we-are-all-astronauts-lost-empire-remixes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408214037/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/synthetic-mango-we-are-all-astronauts-lost-empire-remixes |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref>

The instrumental version of ''Endless Summer'' was released on August 13, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 13, 2016 |title=Endless Summer (the instrumentals) {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/endless-summer-the-instrumentals |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408214022/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/endless-summer-the-instrumentals |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref> On June 24, 2021, a 5 Year Anniversary Edition of ''Endless Summer'' was released featuring two additional songs: [[Bend]] and [[Comet]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Endless Summer (5 Year Anniversary Edition) {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/endless-summer-5-year-anniversary-edition |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409144644/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/endless-summer-5-year-anniversary-edition |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref>

=== The Midnight Remixed ===
{{Main|The Midnight Remixed}} 
[[File:The midnight remixed - album.jpg|thumb|The Midnight Remixed album cover]]
On August 14, 2017, The Midnight released their first remix album [[The Midnight Remixed]] through the label Monstercat Silk.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2017 |title=The Midnight Remixed {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/the-midnight-remixed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408214041/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/the-midnight-remixed |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 8, 2022 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref><ref>https://monstercatsilk.bandcamp.com//</ref> The album contains 12 remixed versions of previously released The Midnight songs, featuring remixes from several well-known names in electronic/progressive house including Mango, Talamanca, Johan Vilborg, and Michael Cassette.

Prior to the release of ''The Midnight Remixed'', Monstercat Silk issued new singles for the songs [[WeMoveForward]], [[Sunset]], and [[Days of Thunder]].<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/wemoveforward-incl-talamanca-remix</ref><ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/days-of-thunder-2</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 7, 2017 |title=Sunset (incl. Michael Cassette Remix) {{!}} The Midnight |url=https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/sunset-incl-michael-cassette-remix |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408214037/https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/sunset-incl-michael-cassette-remix |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 8, 2022 |website=Twitter}}</ref> These single releases included the original songs as well as their corresponding remixes that would later be included on the album.

The album charted at number twenty-two on the [[wikipedia:Dance/Electronic Albums|Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums Chart]].<ref>https://www.billboard.com/music/the-midnight/chart-history/TLP</ref><ref>https://www.facebook.com/1396858670538948/photos/pb.100044407450260.-2207520000../1924812451076898/?type=3</ref> This was the first time a release by The Midnight charted on Billboard.<ref>https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8478337/billboard-dance-chart-upstarts-the-midnight-karel-xojani-whethan</ref> After the album's release, a fourth and final single for the song [[Synthetic]] was released.<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/synthetic-mango-we-are-all-astronauts-lost-empire-remixes</ref> This single does not include the original song but instead features five remixed versions.

=== Nocturnal ===
{{Main|Nocturnal}} 
[[File:Nocturnal - album.jpg|left|thumb|Nocturnal album cover]]
[[Nocturnal]], The Midnight's second album, was independently released on October 13, 2017.<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/nocturnal</ref> The album contains seven tracks and features collaborations with [[Nikki Flores]] and [[wikipedia:Timecop1983|Timecop1983]]. ''Nocturnal'' was noted for having a considerably darker sound compared to previous The Midnight releases and received mostly positive reviews from critics.<ref>https://killyourstereo.com/reviews/1098067/the-midnight-nocturnal/</ref><ref>https://newretrowave.com/2018/09/17/the-midnight-the-nocturnal/</ref><ref>https://newretrowave.com/2017/10/23/the-midnight-nocturnal/</ref><ref>https://vehlinggo.com/2017/10/31/recommended-listening-the-midnight-mr-eff-more/</ref><ref>https://synthspiria.com/the-midnight-nocturnal/?fbclid=IwAR28-skbnQvaA7qa8F13dH91eZTj31Q9DlZWVeiWMOsO5RD80Mj5aBR63-Q</ref> The album charted at number seventeen on the [[wikipedia:Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] Dance/Electronic Albums Chart after release and the following year it peaked at number seventeen on the [[wikipedia:Top Heatseekers|Billboard Heatseekers Album chart]].<ref>https://www.facebook.com/1396858670538948/photos/a.1423071464584335/1951224048435738</ref><ref>https://www.billboard.com/music/the-midnight/chart-history/TLN/song/1049930</ref>

''Nocturnal'' was preceded by the release of its only single, [[Crystalline]], which was issued on September 22, 2017.<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/track/crystalline</ref>

The instrumental version of ''Nocturnal'' was released on December 15, 2017.<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/nocturnal-the-instrumentals</ref>

=== Kids ===
{{Main|Kids}} 
[[File:Kids - album.jpg|thumb|Kids album cover]]
The Midnight's third album, [[Kids]], was independently released on September 21, 2018.<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/kids</ref> The album contains nine tracks. Featuring a more upbeat and lighter tone compared to ''Nocturnal'', the album received more mixed reviews compared to previous The Midnight offerings<ref>https://ironskullet.com/2018/09/24/album-review-the-midnight-kids/</ref><ref>https://vehlinggo.com/2018/09/21/midnight-kids-review/</ref><ref>https://killyourstereo.com/reviews/1104183/the-midnight-kids/</ref><ref>https://www.indiefrontiers.com/home/not-a-sentimental-age-kids-2019-by-the-midnight-album-review</ref><ref>https://newretrowave.com/2018/09/23/the-midnight-kids/</ref> but was still a successful release for the band, debuting at number one on the [[wikipedia:Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] Dance/Electronic Album Sales chart, number twelve on the [[wikipedia:Dance/Electronic Albums|Dance/Electronic Albums]] chart, number two on the [[wikipedia:Top Heatseekers|Heatseekers Albums]] chart, and number thirteen on the [[wikipedia:Independent Albums|Independent Albums]] chart.<ref>https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8478337/billboard-dance-chart-upstarts-the-midnight-karel-xojani-whethan</ref><ref>https://www.billboard.com/music/the-midnight/chart-history/ELP</ref>

''Kids'' was preceded by the release of three singles. [[Lost Boy]] was the first single and was released on July 13, 2018.<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/track/lost-boy</ref> The second single, [[America 2]], was released on August 3, 2018.<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/track/america-2</ref> The third and final single was [[Arcade Dreams]], releasing on September 7, 2018.<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/track/arcade-dreams-3</ref>

''Kids'' is the first album of a planned trilogy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 9, 2020 |title=THE MIDNIGHT: Tim McEwan And Tyler Lyle On Bringing ‘Monsters’ To Life! |url=https://www.iconvsicon.com/2020/07/09/the-midnight-tim-mcewan-and-tyler-lyle-on-bringing-monsters-to-life/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224233722/https://www.iconvsicon.com/2020/07/09/the-midnight-tim-mcewan-and-tyler-lyle-on-bringing-monsters-to-life/ |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |website=Icon Vision}}</ref> The next album in the trilogy is [[Monsters]], and a third yet to be named album will conclude the trilogy.

The instrumental version of ''Kids'' was released on October 30, 2018.<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/kids-the-instrumentals</ref>

=== The Midnight Remixed 02 ===
{{Main|The Midnight Remixed 02}} 
[[File:Remixed 02 - album.jpg|left|thumb|The Midnight Remixed 02 album cover]]
On September 27, 2019, Monstercat Silk released The Midnight's second remix album, [[The Midnight Remixed 02]].<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/the-midnight-remixed-02</ref> ''The Midnight Remixed 02'' features eleven new remixes of previously released The Midnight songs, with contributions from the likes of [[wikipedia:Timecop1983|Timecop1983]], Blood Grove &amp; Kikis, and Claes Rosen.

To promote the album's release, Monstercat Silk released three remix singles: [[Shadows|Shadows (Uppermost Remix)]], which released on August 23, 2019,<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/shadows-uppermost-remix</ref> [[Arcade Dreams|Arcade Dreams (Timecop1983 Remix)]], which released on September 13, 2019,<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/arcade-dreams-timecop1983-remix</ref> and [[Kids (Reprise)|Kids (PROFF Dub Remix)]], which released on September 20, 2019.<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/kids-proff-dub-remix</ref>

The album peaked at number eight on the [[wikipedia:Dance/Electronic Albums|Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums Chart]]<ref>https://www.billboard.com/music/the-midnight/chart-history/dance-electronic-consumption-chart/song/1099324</ref> and number one on the USA [[wikipedia:iTunes|iTunes]] Dance Top Albums Chart.<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/B264eeSARpc/</ref>

=== Monsters ===
{{Main|Monsters}} 
[[File:Monsters - album.jpg|thumb|Monsters album cover]]
The Midnight released their fourth album [[Monsters]] on July 10, 2020, through the label Counter Records.<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/monsters</ref> A continuation of ''Kids'', the album contains fifteen tracks and is their largest release to date in terms of the number of songs. It features a collaboration with the Los Angeles based music duo [[Jupiter Winter]] on the [[Monsters (song)|title track]].

Noted for moving the band's sound in a different direction and expanding its horizons, ''Monsters'' received mostly positive reviews from critics.<ref>https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1307979/the-midnight-monsters-album-review-new-album-band-tyler-lyle-tim-mcewan-outrun-synthwave</ref><ref>https://vehlinggo.com/2020/07/10/midnight-monsters-review/</ref><ref>https://edm.com/music-releases/the-midnight-monsters</ref><ref>https://exclaim.ca/music/article/the_midnight_monsters_album_review</ref><ref>https://www.fuzzymag.co.uk/post/the-midnight-monsters-review</ref> Also obtaining commercial success, the album charted at number one-hundred-thirty-four on the [[wikipedia:Billboard 200|Billboard 200]],<ref>https://www.billboard.com/music/The-Midnight/chart-history/TLP</ref> number twelve on the [[wikipedia:Dance/Electronic Albums|Dance/Electronic Albums]] chart,<ref>https://www.billboard.com/music/The-Midnight/chart-history/ELP</ref><ref>https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9423495/the-midnight-sofi-tukker-gorgon-city-dance-electronic-charts</ref> and number eighteen on the [[wikipedia:Independent Albums|Independent Albums]] chart.<ref>https://www.billboard.com/music/The-Midnight/chart-history/IND</ref>

''Monsters'' was preceded by the release of four singles. [[America Online]] was the first single and was released on May 3, 2019.<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/track/america-online</ref> The second single, [[Deep Blue]], was released on May 6, 2020.<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/B_fNNn1J2L-/</ref> The third single, [[Dance With Somebody]], was released on June 10, 2020.<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CBQsDoQn98s/</ref> The fourth and final single, [[Prom Night]], was released on June 24, 2020.<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CB0wdojJqAi/</ref>

The instrumental version of ''Monsters'' was released on October 8, 2020.<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/monsters-the-instrumentals</ref>

=== Horror Show ===
{{Main|Horror Show}} 
[[File:Horror show - ep.jpg|left|thumb|Horror Show EP cover]]
The Midnight's second EP, [[Horror Show]], was released on October 16, 2020, through Counter Records.<ref>https://music.amazon.com/albums/B08KS5M6G6?refMarker=dm_wcp_af_r&amp;ref=dm_ws_dp_ald_bb_phfa_xx_xx&amp;do=play&amp;</ref><ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CGaDuGnAWCe/</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1317105895508119552</ref> The EP was originally only avalible to stream on [[wikipedia:Amazon Music|Amazon Music]]. The EP was released to all platforms on March 19, 2021.<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/horror-show</ref> Physical copies of the EP were also available to pre-order from the band's official store on release day, with all orders including a digital download of the EP alongside its instrumentals.<ref>https://merch.ambientinks.com/collections/themidnight/products/preorder-horror-show-limited-edition-transparent-orange-lp</ref>

Announced as a prize during the [[Fall 2020 ARG]], the EP contains six tracks. With a darker sound reminiscent of [[Nocturnal]], ''Horror Show'' sees The Midnight collaborating with producer Essenger for the first time, with Essenger co-producing four tracks.<ref>https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1317331226311548928</ref> The band also collaborated again with [[Nikki Flores]] on the song [[Because The Night]], a cover of the [[wikipedia:Because the Night|original 1978 song]] by [[wikipedia:Bruce Springsteen|Bruce Springsteen]] and [[wikipedia:Patti Smith|Patti Smith]].

=== The Rearview Mirror ===
{{Main|The Rearview Mirror}} 
[[File:The rearview mirror - ep.jpg|thumb|The Rearview Mirror EP cover]]
The Midnight's third EP, [[The Rearview Mirror]] was released on July 23, 2021.<ref>https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/the-rearview-mirror</ref> Released to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the band's album Endless Summer, the EP features five songs that have been re-imagined with orchestral arrangements performed by the Magik*Magik Orchestra. Vampires was released as a single from the EP on July 9, 2021.

=== Heroes ===
{{Main|Heroes}} 
[[File:Heroes - Album.jpg|left|thumb|Heroes album cover]]
'''Heroes''' is the fifth album from [[The Midnight]]. It is scheduled to be released on September 9, 2022.

So far, four singles have been released from Heroes: [[Change Your Heart or Die]] which released on April 14, 2022, [[Heartbeat]], which released on June 8, 2022, [[Avalanche]] which was released on July 6, 2022 and [[Brooklyn. Friday. Love.]] which was released on August 3, 2022.

== Style and workflow ==

For most of their career, The Midnight has created a strong and distinct [[wikipedia:synthwave|synthwave]] sound in their music - Tim McEwan once described the band's early albums &quot;as if [[wikipedia:Miami Vice|Miami Vice]] had a baby with a [[wikipedia:John Hughes (filmmaker)|John Hughes]] movie.&quot;<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricForest/comments/brea4u/we_are_the_midnight_and_were_playing_electric/eocxrbc/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref> However, McEwan has continuously expressed a desire to evolve the synthwave genre and not be confined by it.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricForest/comments/brea4u/we_are_the_midnight_and_were_playing_electric/eod2qsw/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/electronicmusic/comments/horqzi/we_are_the_midnight_our_new_album_monsters_is_out/fxjybht/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 9, 2020 |title=THE MIDNIGHT: Tim McEwan And Tyler Lyle On Bringing ‘Monsters’ To Life! |url=https://www.iconvsicon.com/2020/07/09/the-midnight-tim-mcewan-and-tyler-lyle-on-bringing-monsters-to-life/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224233722/https://www.iconvsicon.com/2020/07/09/the-midnight-tim-mcewan-and-tyler-lyle-on-bringing-monsters-to-life/ |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |website=Icon Vision}}</ref><ref>https://www.facebook.com/TheMidnightOfficial/posts/1615738348650978</ref> Tyler Lyle has stated several times that the band's philosophy when composing is &quot;combine, not confine.&quot;<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/electronicmusic/comments/horqzi/we_are_the_midnight_our_new_album_monsters_is_out/fxjv91v/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 9, 2020 |title=THE MIDNIGHT: Tim McEwan And Tyler Lyle On Bringing ‘Monsters’ To Life! |url=https://www.iconvsicon.com/2020/07/09/the-midnight-tim-mcewan-and-tyler-lyle-on-bringing-monsters-to-life/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224233722/https://www.iconvsicon.com/2020/07/09/the-midnight-tim-mcewan-and-tyler-lyle-on-bringing-monsters-to-life/ |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |website=Icon Vision}}</ref><ref>https://youtu.be/X9VPeEZKxlY?t=328</ref> Influences of genres such as [[wikipedia:Lo-fi music|lo-fi]], [[wikipedia:soft rock|soft rock]], [[google:Trance|trance]], and [[wikipedia:vaporwave|vaporwave]] can be heard on ''Monsters'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 9, 2020 |title=THE MIDNIGHT: Tim McEwan And Tyler Lyle On Bringing ‘Monsters’ To Life! |url=https://www.iconvsicon.com/2020/07/09/the-midnight-tim-mcewan-and-tyler-lyle-on-bringing-monsters-to-life/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224233722/https://www.iconvsicon.com/2020/07/09/the-midnight-tim-mcewan-and-tyler-lyle-on-bringing-monsters-to-life/ |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |website=Icon Vision}}</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/electronicmusic/comments/horqzi/we_are_the_midnight_our_new_album_monsters_is_out/fxjtpi3/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref> and Lyle's musical background has brought influences of [[wikipedia:indie folk|indie folk]] and [[wikipedia:Americana (music)|Americana]] to the band's sound as well.<ref>https://edm.com/interviews/the-midnight-interview</ref> Regarding the merging of their individual talents and styles, Lyle has said:<ref>https://www.studentpages.biz/the-midnight-rock-and-roll-with-synthesizers-on-deep-blue/</ref>
<blockquote>
<poem>It’s rock and roll with synthesizers. Tim has a keen ear for production, and I can write songs that fit comfortably within the tradition of 20th century classic pop songwriting. Somewhere in the middle things get interesting.
</poem>
</blockquote>

McEwan employs various digital synths in his production, including Serum, Diva, TAL-U-NO-LX, Spire, and Roland Cloud's Jupiter 8 and Juno 106.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricForest/comments/brea4u/we_are_the_midnight_and_were_playing_electric/eocx180/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricForest/comments/brea4u/we_are_the_midnight_and_were_playing_electric/eod5i0u/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref> In mid-2020, he mentioned that his favorite synth to use at the time was U-He's emulation of [[wikipedia:Prophet-5|Prophet-5]], known as Repro 5.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/electronicmusic/comments/horqzi/we_are_the_midnight_our_new_album_monsters_is_out/fxjqzld/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref> McEwan has stated that he commonly begins with presets and then tweaks them to his liking.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/electronicmusic/comments/horqzi/we_are_the_midnight_our_new_album_monsters_is_out/fxjwgzr/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref> [[wikipedia:Native Instruments|KONTAKT]] is used for sampling.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/outrun/comments/4a5kpz/the_midnight_ama_for_saturday_12th_of_march_2016/d0xkqvn/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/outrun/comments/89rc79/we_are_the_midnight_ask_us_anything/dwt22f6/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref> In 2020, both Lyle and McEwan started adding more analog equipment to their audio setups.<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CIhET1WlY45/</ref><ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CITz316lq49/</ref><ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CHkFwlhlrOK/</ref><ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CHY7PW2Fx4z/</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1333643661708431361?s=20</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1333867067032838144?s=20</ref><ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CIrja45FWue/</ref><ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CH6xz9eFTDv/</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1327521143931035650?s=20</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/tylerlyle/status/1353388148458479618</ref> In early 2021, McEwan shared that his current home studio consisted of the following equipment:<ref>https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1357572298769715200</ref>

* [[wikipedia:Roland Juno-106|Roland Juno-106]]
* Sequential OB-6
* Sequential Prophet 6
* [[wikipedia:Oberheim Matrix synthesizers|Oberheim Matrix-6]]
* [[wikipedia:Yamaha DX7|Yamaha DX7]]
* [[wikipedia:Casio_CZ_synthesizers#CZ-1000|Casio CZ 1000]]
* Dynaudio LYD 8 studio monitors
* Universal Audio Apollo x8
<br />
Both McEwan and Lyle use [[wikipedia:Logic Pro|Logic Pro]] on [[wikipedia:macOS|macOS]] as their primary Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricForest/comments/brea4u/we_are_the_midnight_and_were_playing_electric/eodcug3/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref> [[wikipedia:Universal Audio (company)|Universal Audio]] interfaces are used to capture their sounds, which are then processed using UAD plugins.<ref>https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1110041696555798528</ref><ref>https://issuu.com/headlinerhub/docs/headliner_usa_2/28</ref> Using the same utilities makes it easier for them to share session files as a significant amount of their work is done remotely, due to living in different areas of the US.<ref>https://twitter.com/tylerlyle/status/1278435620491333640</ref> However, they will usually get together in the same room a few times during a release's production and will often write and record together while on tour.<ref>https://youtu.be/X9VPeEZKxlY?t=345</ref> A release's sound and overall direction are generally created by the two bouncing ideas off each other - McEwan will send Lyle a rough track or beat, which Lyle will then think of lyrics and a title that would go good with the beat, after which McEwan will further build and produce the track.<ref>https://youtu.be/X9VPeEZKxlY?t=349</ref> McEwan has stated that the production of a typical The Midnight album takes around three to six months, &quot;from the early gestating part to finish.&quot;<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/outrun/comments/89rc79/we_are_the_midnight_ask_us_anything/dwt1mrh/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref>

Synths, drums, and overall production are handled by McEwan, with Lyle providing guitar, lyrics, and vocals. Lyle has stated that he writes on a daily basis,<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/electronicmusic/comments/horqzi/we_are_the_midnight_our_new_album_monsters_is_out/fxjxntw/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref> and many lyrics come from a large number of fragments he keeps stored in [[wikipedia:Evernote|Evernote]].<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/outrun/comments/89rc79/we_are_the_midnight_ask_us_anything/dwt2rvv/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref> During a fan question-and-answer session on Twitter prior to the release of ''Monsters'', he mentioned that he &quot;wrote about 250 songs between 2016-2019&quot; and &quot;20 something of those songs got properly demoed/ realistically considered for Monsters.&quot;<ref>https://twitter.com/tylerlyle/status/1278430811939835910</ref> Regarding his general writing process and how he writes for The Midnight, Lyle has said:<ref>https://twitter.com/tylerlyle/status/1278433997643821062</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/tylerlyle/status/1278433049483632641</ref> 

<blockquote>
<poem>I write The Midnight lyrically (mostly) as the fantasy that I never experienced. I lean a bit utopian sometimes and let the images get grander than I experienced. I was on the debate team. I had a lisp. I was really into Syphon Filter. The fun is in the make believe.<br />
I write everyday. Some of it goes in The Midnight folder. Some of it goes off into far far away places. It works best when Tim has a cool musical skeleton and I have a cool lyrical skeleton we can smush together and build together.
</poem>
</blockquote> 
Most of the remaining instrumentation is digital,<ref>https://issuu.com/headlinerhub/docs/headliner_usa_2/28</ref> but on occasion songs (including most with saxophone and guitar solos) will at first have digital instruments that are then outsourced to other musicians to play live on the track. [[Thomas Edinger]] has been the primary saxophone player for The Midnight's releases, and McEwan's brother [[Oliver McEwan|Oliver]] has frequently played bass for the band as well.

For live performances, various setups have been used by the band. Lyle stated that the [[Spring 2019 Tour]] utilized an [[wikipedia:Ableton Live|Ableton]] rig, with McEwan using an SPD SX sampling pad and MIDI controller.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/ElectricForest/comments/brea4u/we_are_the_midnight_and_were_playing_electric/eodcug3/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3</ref> Lyle ran his guitars through a Kemper profiling amp, and he also used an OP1 for certain synth moments and pads. Most shows will also feature live bass, acoustic, and electric guitars, as well as live saxophone. Since the [[Fall 2019 Tour]], the band's touring lineup has consisted of McEwan on synths and drums, Lyle on guitar and synths, [[Jupiter Winter|Lelia Broussard]] on guitar and synths, and [[Jesse Molloy]] on saxophone and synths. Lyle is the primary vocalist and the others perform backing vocals. Molloy has been with the band since their first live shows in 2017, though other saxophone players will occasionally fill in for him, particularly at shows outside of the US.<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/BWyc6WrhAIl/</ref><ref>https://soundcloud.com/beyond-synth/170-themidnight</ref> Broussard joined the band prior to the start of the Fall 2019 Tour Tour.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview with Lelia Broussard |url=https://askjens.themidnight.wiki/interview-with-lelia-broussard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615153534/https://askjens.themidnight.wiki/interview-with-lelia-broussard |archive-date=June 15, 2021 |access-date=March 24, 2022 |website=Ask Jens}}</ref> [[Nikki Flores]] occasionally appears at some shows as a vocalist, performing her collaborations with the band in addition to singing vocals on [[Sunset]].

== Members ==

=== Main ===

* [[Tim McEwan]] (producer, songwriter, percussion, synths, occasional vocals)
* [[Tyler Lyle]] (songwriter, lead vocals, guitar, occasional synths)

=== Touring ===

==== Current tour members ====

* [[Jupiter Winter|Lelia Broussard]] (vocals, guitar, synths)
* [[Jesse Molloy]] (saxophone, synths)
*[[Jupiter Winter|Royce Whittaker]] (guitar, synths)

==== Occasional/past tour members ====

* [[Nikki Flores]] (vocals)
* [[Thomas Edinger]] (saxophone)
* Jacob Scesney (saxophone)
* Alekos “Kosie” Syropoulos (saxophone, synths)<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/BneO9-Cjq0R/</ref>
* Lito Hernandez (saxophone)<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/By8cQjKApec/</ref>
*[https://twitter.com/klunkfunk Justin Klunk] (saxophone)<ref>https://twitter.com/TheMidnightLA/status/1502057491902906372</ref>
*Chris Kuffner (guitar, synths)<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca000gWB7zA/</ref>

== Discography ==

=== Extended plays (EPs) ===

* [[Days of Thunder]] (2014)
* [[Horror Show]] (2020)
* [[The Rearview Mirror]] (2021)

=== Albums ===

* [[Endless Summer]] (2016)
* [[Nocturnal]] (2017)
* [[Kids]] (2018)
* [[Monsters]] (2020)
*[[Heroes]] (2022)

=== Remix albums ===

* [[The Midnight Remixed]] (2017)
* [[The Midnight Remixed 02]] (2019)

=== Singles ===

* [[Sunset]] (2016)
* [[Vampires]] (2016)
* [[WeMoveForward|WeMoveForward (incl. Talamanca Remix)]] (2016)
* [[Days of Thunder (song)|Days of Thunder]] (2016)
* [[Sunset|Sunset (incl. Michael Cassette Remix)]] (2017)
* [[Crystalline]] (2017)
* [[Synthetic|Synthetic (Mango, We Are All Astronauts, Lost Empire Remixes)]] (2017)
* [[Lost Boy]] (2018)
* [[America 2]] (2018)
* [[Arcade Dreams]] (2018)
* [[America Online]] (2019)
* [[Shadows|Shadows (Uppermost Remix)]] (2019)
* [[Arcade Dreams|Arcade Dreams (Timecop1983 Remix)]] (2019)
* [[Kids (Prelude)|Kids (PROFF Dub Remix)]] (2019)
* [[The Comeback Kid|The Comeback Kid (Isolation Relief Mix)]] (2020)
* [[Deep Blue]] (2020)
* [[Dance With Somebody]] (2020)
* [[Prom Night]] (2020)
* [[Neon Medusa]] (2021)
* [[Change Your Heart or Die]] (2022)
* [[Heartbeat]] (2022)
* [[Avalanche]] (2022)
* [[Brooklyn. Friday. Love.]] (2022)

=== Remixes ===

* [[Lost & Found|Lost &amp; Found (The Midnight Remix)]] (2016)
* [[0 To 100 (The Midnight Remix)]] (2016)
* [[Never Enough (The Midnight Remix)]] (2016)
* [[Oceans Away (The Midnight Remix)]] (2017)
* [[Kyra (The Midnight Remix)]] (2017)
* [[80's Films (The Midnight Remix)]] (2017)
* [[The Outfield (The Midnight Remix)]] (2018)
* [[Clean Eyes (The Midnight Remix)]] (2019)
* [[Missing Out (The Midnight Remix)]] (2020)
* [[Don't Give Up (The Midnight Remix)]] (2020)

=== Other appearances ===

* [[Static]] (2018)
* [[Sometimes She Smiles]] (2019)
* [[Cold Pizza|C O L D P I Z Z A]] (2021)
* [[Nothing Beats Like A Heart]] (2021)

== Tours and live appearances ==

* [[Fall 2018 Tour]]
* [[Spring 2019 Tour]]
* [[Fall 2019 Tour]]
* [[The Midnight Online]]
* [[Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 Tour]]
* [[Change Your Heart Tour]]

== References ==
<references />
<noinclude>
[[Category:People]]‎</noinclude>

== External Links ==

* [https://www.themidnightofficial.com/ Official website]
* [https://twitter.com/themidnightla Twitter]
* [https://www.instagram.com/themidnightofficial Instagram]
* [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-sM_PLqzgktdUcW2LEKKkQ YouTube]
* [https://facebook.com/TheMidnightOfficial Facebook]
* [https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/ Bandcamp]
* [https://www.tiktok.com/@themidnightofficial/ TikTok]

{{#related:Tim McEwan}}
{{#related:Tyler Lyle}}