Endless Summer (The Midnight)

Heralded by many as The Midnight's magnum opus, "Endless Summer" is an essential album for any synthwave listener.

Now, I wouldn't go so far as to call it their *magnum opus* — The Midnight have crafted some incredible projects in their time — but "Endless Summer" is nothing short of glorious. This is the band's work that is most reminiscient of the '80s aesthetic, in all its neon glory, and not a single track falls short of it. Indeed, "Endless Summer" is a deceivingly cohesive record, boasting a low-laying mood painted across a hi-fi soundscape to model a warm, quiet night in the middle of, well, summer. It's this mood that carries this project through its hour of runtime: from the more atmosphere-driven, immersive tracks like "Daytona" or "The Equaliser (Not Alone" to the brighter, more vivid cuts like "The Comeback Kid" or "Lonely City", this project is able to dictate fluctuations in its atmosphere perfectly in its muted undertones, maintaining steadfast control over otherwise wanderlust-infused motifs. And that brings me perfectly onto the primary element that makes this album so good: wanderlust. Tyler's voice is incredibly smooth, and as he drifts across pristine synthwork, "Endless Summer" gravitates gently towards fruition. Infectious lyrical hooks, powerful vocal delivery, and even the use of a vocoder to create the uncanny robotic effect in "Nighthawks" — Tyler's got the whole package when it comes to mature, quality vocals for the moment, and I've got to admit that the non-linear structures many of these tracks adapt contribute immensely. Yes, you have your typical verse-chorus structure for the more synthpop-leaning tracks, but for the synthwave listener that craves neon sunsets and neverending atmospheres, the toying of structure (in both instrumental and vocal-driven tracks) pulls considerable weight. Oh, and did I mention the sax? The absolutely killer saxophone solos present in half these tracks? I'd be damned if I didn't, because, I mean, what a cherry on top. Between a satin vocal, poetic lyricism, crystal-clear production, impeccable soundscapes, and that blessed saxophone, all framed with the rose-tinted lenses of the '80s... what's not to love?

Alright, fine, I dropped this a couple of points because it does feel a little dated (although that's kind of its whole schtick). "Endless Summer", though it doesn't rock a cohesive concept as hard as some of their other albums, is easily a worthy contender for the greatest synthwave album, ever, with its broad audience and critical acclaim. Perhaps it isn't my favourite project from The Midnight, but it's a must-listen.