After their 2016 release « Endless Summer, » Tim McEwan and Tyler Lyle, known as ‘The Midnight,’ are back with an expansive EP titled ‘Nocturnal.’ This 7-track EP is perfect for late-night listening during a road trip through vibrant cities like Tokyo or Miami, especially after the captivating introduction of the first track, ‘Shadows.’ The atmosphere is set from the first seconds with typical Synthwave sounds, a slow and refreshing rhythm, Thomas Edinger’s saxophone that consistently captivates, and a chorus reminiscent of the best of ‘Phil Collins.’

Following ‘Shadows’ is ‘Crystalline,’ a sweet and sensual track where vocals and saxophone blend seamlessly for a highly successful result, leaving listeners wanting more. Next up is ‘Collateral,’ a purely instrumental track featuring a guitar solo that could make ‘Joe Satriani’ jealous, accompanied by an emotional saxophone part reminiscent of George Michael’s ‘Careless Whisper’ (1984). Then comes the fantastic ‘River of Darkness,’ featuring the amazing ‘Timecop1983.’ It’s a Synthpop gem that flawlessly combines the romantic saxophone and the fabulous vocals of ‘The Midnight’ with the fantastic melodies of ‘Jordy’ (Timecop1983). Effective and powerful are the keywords here.

The EP’s flagship track, ‘Nocturnal,’ pays homage to ‘Terminator’ from its very first notes, transporting listeners into an ’80s cosmos. It’s a pure escape into the world of Synthwave, with melodies reminiscent of ‘Blade Runner’ or ‘Tron’ (the original films) that could easily fit into ‘Stranger Things’ season 2. In ‘Light Years,’ the talented singer Nikki Flores shares her sublime voice with Tyler to create a perfect and harmonious duet, full of love, set to sweet and romantic music. Finally, ‘Tokyo Night Train’ carries listeners on a beautiful nocturnal journey to Asia, filled with beautiful dreams and happy moments. It’s the perfect track to close this splendid EP, accompanied by a fantastic cover created by David Legnon.

These lighter, longing elements perfectly augment the thrumming basslines, calling to mind the feeling of lost love. “Nocturnal” is, in short, a splendid mix of mystery, passion and heartache.

– NewRetroWave