If neon was a personality, it would be mine. So it’s no wonder I’m so drawn to bands like The Midnight. Here in the year 2025, the release of their latest record Syndicate feels pretty timely. It’s equal parts comforting as it is a pensive, almost sad look at the current state of things but as always with records like this, I tend to gravitate toward the overall feel of the album (the melodies, instrumentation, production, etc) first.

My journey with the band truly began during the pandemic years with a deep dive into Kids and then the release of Monsters, a record that added some personality to the summer that I was stuck at home. Heroes, the 2022 follow up, released the same week as my comeback into the music promo world (for 7 years I promoted an indie rock festival called Steadfast in Columbus, OH with a 2 year break for the pandemic) and felt triumphant.

Syndicate, a look at a post-apocalyptic world with transmissions floating throughout the ether representing the remnants of humanity, takes on its own distinct identity in my own journey of listening to The Midnight and synthwave in general. It shies away from the glam of Heroes and into something that’s a bit more understated – yet nonetheless fun. I also find that Syndicate has a quality of amplifying whatever emotion I’m feeling at the time. If I’m in a good mood, songs like “Shadowverse” and “Runaways” demand I play them loudly in my car with the windows down. If I’ve had a rough day at work, those exact same songs might be stuck in my head while I ponder life’s deeper questions; my uncertainty and melancholy state bubble to the surface and those feelings linger with me for awhile. It’s still beautiful, but not always what I prefer.

The first third of the record or so is classic The Midnight – synths aplenty and huge, emotional choruses. The first time I heard “Shadowverse” it was an instant classic – exceeding other lead singles “Love is an Ocean” and “Digital Dreams.” There’s a sense of dystopian grandeur in the chorus; “Every borderland / every hungry wolf / now to make your stand / in the shadowverse.” Imagine singing that out loud as you’re driving into battle. Other standouts at the forefront of the album include the aforementioned “Runaways” with its breezy melodies and production, and the “The Right Way,” which has a warm melody and would be at home on a movie score alongside one of the more recent Coldplay singles (not meant to be an insult – some of us music journalists actually like newer Coldplay cuts, I promise!). “The Right Way” also feels like it could be a long lost electronic cousin to Sleeping At Last’s “Levels of Light.”

The back half of the record is largely more subdued. The most emotional moment comes in one of the lead singles, “Love is an Ocean.” The album closer “Summer’s Ending Soon” doesn’t quite hit me in the feels as much as I expected it to. It comes across more matter of fact and comforting. Summer’s end doesn’t have to be a sad thing. Transitions are often simply that – transitions. And this feeling is captured well throughout the song’s runtime. “Quiet Earth” lives up to its name with a score that brings to mind what exploring a national park in a “Jetsons” world might feel like. “Long Island” is a grower; make sure you listen with a good pair of headphones – passive listening undersells it.

Cyberpunk nerds will love the industrial nature of “First Night in Paris” featuring Carpenter Brut. You didn’t forget this was supposed to be post-apocalyptic record, did you? The Midnight lean into nostalgia and wistfulness the best, but also aren’t afraid to wear a little darkness on their sleeve. I nominate this band to score the next TRON movie, with this in mind.

The Midnight’s Syndicate is a satisfying, gorgeous work. But, be warned – you’ll be caught up in your feels. If you’re looking for joy, listen when you’re in a good mood. If you’re looking for catharsis, listen when you’re sad.

Follow The Midnight on Instagram. They are currently touring Europe. They also just announced a spring tour of North America. More information can be found on their website.

We also had a chance to sit down with Tim McEwan from the band recently. Take a watch of my interview with him below: