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2018 album by The Midnight

From The Floppy Disk

Nikki Flores

Flores in 2020
Nikki Flores
Flores performing live with The Midnight in 2020
Flores performing live with The Midnight in 2020
Background information
Birth nameBrandi Nichole Flores
Born (1988-10-17) October 17, 1988 (age 37)
Fontana, California, U.S.
Genres
  • Pop
  • R&B
  • Electronic
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • keyboards
Years active2003–present
Websitenikkiflores.com

Nikki Flores (born Brandi Nichole Flores, October 17, 1988)[1][2] is an American singer, songwriter, and producer based in Los Angeles, California. She has an extensive catalog of credits as a singer and songwriter.

A native of Fontana, California,[3] Flores signed with Epic Records in 2003[4] and released her first single Strike in 2005.[5] After being dropped from the label in 2009, she signed with Patriot Records in 2010, an imprint of Universal Republic.[6][7] Her first single with the label, City Lights, was released in September that year.

After a full album failed to materialize on either label, Flores began a career of writing songs for other artists and making appearances as a featured vocalist. Artists she has written for include Christina Aguilera, Jordin Sparks, Nas, and JoJo.[3][1] Flores has provided backing vocals for the likes of Keyshia Cole, Demi Lovato, and Cher Lloyd. In 2016, she released a six-track EP titled XII XV.[8] She has also collaborated several times with German DJ Markus Schulz as a writer and vocalist. In 2021, she re-released her 2008 single Let It Slide after it began appearing on TikTok. As of 2023, she is working on solo music under the project name Luuna's Room.[9]

Her first collaboration with The Midnight was the song Jason from the album Endless Summer, providing vocals and co-writing the track. Flores worked with the band again on their following release Nocturnal, co-writing and singing vocals on the song Light Years. Her next collaboration with The Midnight was the song Because The Night from their 2020 EP Horror Show, a cover of the 1978 song by Patti Smith. She also provided background vocals on the song Good in Red. While she did not appear as a guest vocalist on any songs, Flores assisted in the writing and production of The Midnight's fifth album Heroes.

Flores has performed live with The Midnight on several occasions, most recently during the 2020 concert special The Midnight Online. She sings vocals for the songs that she was featured in and also sings vocals on the song Sunset.

Contributions to songs by The Midnight

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Nikki Flores | Discography | Discogs". Discogs. April 3, 2022. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Nikki Flores | About". Nikki Flores. April 3, 2022. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Who Is Nikki Flores? Welcome To Her Diary: Chapter 1 | RnB". RnB Magazine. June 14, 2016. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Nikki Flores on Apple Music". Apple Music. April 3, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Nikki Flores - Strike | Releases | Discogs". Discogs. January 1, 2005. Retrieved April 3, 2022. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)
  6. ↑ "Nikki Flores | Singer/Songwriter signed to Patriot Records/Universal Republic. Music is my love. Check it out :)". Wordpress.com. January 1, 2010. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Nikki Flores Channels Journey For Her New Single - Clizbeats.com". Clizbeats. October 10, 2010. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2022. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; September 20, 2020 suggested (help)
  8. ↑ "Spotify – XII XV". Spotify. January 1, 2016. Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  9. ↑ Flores, Nikki (April 6, 2023). "Nikki Flores on Twitter: "She's yours 🌙🔮✨ I hope you love "Luuna's Theme" https://t.co/Ld9L971J6p" / Twitter". Twitter. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)

External links

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Synthetic

Synthetic remixes - single.jpg
"Synthetic"
Song by The Midnight
from the album Endless Summer
ReleasedAugust 5, 2016 (2016-08-05)
Length3:19
LabelThe Midnight Music
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Tim McEwan
Endless Summer track listing

Endless Summer

  1. "Endless Summer"
  2. "Sunset"
  3. "Daytona"
  4. "Jason"
  5. "Synthetic"
  6. "The Equaliser (Not Alone)"
  7. "The Comeback Kid"
  8. "Vampires"
  9. "Crockett's Revenge"
  10. "Nighthawks"
  11. "Lonely City"
  12. "Memories"

"Synthetic (Mango, We Are All Astronauts, Lost Empire Remixes)"
Remix single by The Midnight
from the album The Midnight Remixed
ReleasedDecember 18, 2017 (2017-12-18)
Length34:39
LabelSilk Music
Songwriter(s)
The Midnight Remixed track listing

The Midnight Remixed

  1. "Sunset (Michael Cassette Remix)"
  2. "WeMoveForward (Johan Vilborg Remix)"
  3. "Kick Drums & Red Wine (Dezza Remix)"
  4. "Nighthawks (Lifelike Remix)"
  5. "Days Of Thunder (PROFF pres. Soultorque Remix)"
  6. "Endless Summer (Marsh Remix)"
  7. "The Equaliser (Terry Da Libra Remix)"
  8. "Memories (Sundriver Remix)"
  9. "Jason (eleven.five 'Leftfield' Remix)"
  10. "Vampires (Vintage & Morelli Remix)"
  11. "Synthetic (Mango vs. We Are All Astronauts Remix)"
  12. "WeMoveForward (Talamanca Remix)"
  13. "Sunset (Michael Cassette Extended Mix)"
  14. "Kick Drums & Red Wine (Dezza Extended Mix)"
  15. "Nighthawks (Lifelike Extended Mix)"
  16. "Memories (Sundriver Extended Mix)"
The Midnight remix singles chronology
Sunset remix - single.jpg
Sunset (incl. Michael Cassette Remix)
(2017) 		Synthetic remixes - single.jpg
Synthetic (Mango, We Are All Astronauts, Lost Empire Remixes)
(2017) 		Shadows uppermost remix - single.jpg
Shadows (Uppermost Remix)
(2019)

Synthetic[1] is a song by The Midnight. It is the fifth track from their album Endless Summer. On December 18, 2017, Silk Music released a remix single of Synthetic containing five remixed versions of the song, the fourth and final single from The Midnight Remixed.[2]

The song was written by band members Tim McEwan and Tyler Lyle and produced by McEwan. It has a running time of three minutes and 19 seconds and is in the key of E-flat major. Synthetic is one of only two The Midnight songs with McEwan being the main vocalist; the other one is Comet.

In addition to appearing on The Midnight Remixed, the Mango vs. We Are All Astronauts Remix of Synthetic appears on the Silk Music compilation Deep House Essentials 2018.[3] The We Are All Astronauts & Lost Empire Remix appears on the compilation Silk Music Pres. Progressive House Essentials 07.[4]

Official description

Synthetic (Mango, We Are All Astronauts, Lost Empire Remixes)

This past summer, we had the enormous privilege of releasing an album of remixes, in celebration of the past work of acclaimed synthwave duo The Midnight. We were thrilled to witness this release reach the Top 25 on the Billboard Dance / Electronic Albums Chart, and The Midnight have since sold out celebrated venues in both San Francisco (DNA Lounge) and Los Angeles (Globe Theatre). Our final single from "The Midnight Remixed" is a love letter to "Synthetic," a distinctive cut in The Midnight's oeuvre, given that it features a rare vocal from the band's producer, Tim McEwan. Initially showcased on the album itself, the glorious Mango vs. We Are All Astronauts remix is, of course, included here, as well as four other eclectic, yet equally inspired new takes.

Kicking off the release, visionary Boston-based composer We Are All Astronauts reveals the first of several collaborative "Synthetic" interpretations; he is joined by American producer and fellow Silk Music newcomer Lost Empire on this specific rendering. In the early going, a gentle house beat, infused with a deep, swingy groove, sits below Tim McEwan's soulful vocal. As the song progresses, a symphonic layer to the arrangement emerges, ultimately leading to a poignant, string-backed main breakdown. Signaling the full thematic metamorphosis of the song's protagonist to a non-human entity, a video-game inspired new melody line carries the midrange to the song's conclusion.

On "The Midnight Remixed," label muse Mango, alongside We Are All Astronauts, revealed his first production in years, an inspired indie-house take on "Synthetic," now appearing on this follow-up single as well. Waves of melody imbue the soundscape with touches of both melancholy and euphoria, which is to say: Mango is in vintage form from the song's earliest moments. The juxtaposition of Tim's wistful vocal with Mango & WAAA's uplifting instrumentation feels pitch-perfect for the nostalgic mood evoked by The Midnight's music, in general.

Finally, We Are All Astronauts offers his own solo interpretation, in which the arrangement is denuded of any percussive elements via a glorious, fully orchestral three-minute intro. The heartrending instrumentation, matched by Tim's affecting vocal performance, sets up a cathartic, 'post-rock' finale, in which ambient-electronic textures provide the underpinning for an edgy and, ultimately, anthemic rock score. As Tim's vocal gently fades into a sea of symphonic sounds, the coda poignantly captures the transience of life's beauty.

[2]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Tim McEwan and Tyler Lyle.

Synthetic (Mango, We Are All Astronauts, Lost Empire Remixes)
No.TitleLength
1."Synthetic (We Are All Astronauts & Lost Empire Remix)"7:19
2."Synthetic (Mango vs. We Are All Astronauts Vocal Remix)"7:40
3."Synthetic (We Are All Astronauts 'Post-Rock' Vocal Remix)"6:00
4."Synthetic (Mango vs. We Are All Astronauts Dub Remix)"7:40
5."Synthetic (We Are All Astronauts 'Post-Rock' Instrumental Remix)"6:00
Total length:34:39

Lyrics

Been trying to move on
Been black and blue
Trying to turn the old
Into something new
You found somebody
I found someone too
She got everything I need
Yeah but she's not you

I locked my love into the ground
Hoped it never could be found
Body slowly shutting down
And now I am...

I'm still alive but I can't feel
I got stuff inside but it's not real
They say I'm fine but I feel synthetic
Nothing human left in me
I'm just a machine full of moving parts
I got emptiness where I used to have a heart
I'm still breathing but I'm synthetic
Nothing human left in me
Nothing human about me

No emotion
Just autotune
Left who I was back there with you
Maybe I died
And I kept movin'
In a body made from plastic and glue

I locked my love into the ground
Hoped it never could be found
Body slowly shutting down
And now I am...

I'm still alive but I can't feel
I got stuff inside but it's not real
They say I'm fine but I feel synthetic
Nothing human left in me
I'm just a machine full of moving parts
I got emptiness where I used to have a heart
I'm still breathing but I'm synthetic
Nothing human left in me
Nothing human about me

Lyrics source[1]

Official versions

Synthetic

from Endless Summer

Synthetic (instrumental)

from Endless Summer (the instrumentals)

Synthetic (Mango vs. We Are All Astronauts Remix)

from The Midnight Remixed

Synthetic (We Are All Astronauts & Lost Empire Remix)

from Synthetic (Mango, We Are All Astronauts, Lost Empire Remixes)

Synthetic (We Are All Astronauts 'Post​-​Rock' Vocal Remix)

from Synthetic (Mango, We Are All Astronauts, Lost Empire Remixes)

Synthetic (Mango vs. We Are All Astronauts Dub Remix)

from Synthetic (Mango, We Are All Astronauts, Lost Empire Remixes)

Synthetic (We Are All Astronauts 'Post​-​Rock' Instrumental Remix)

from Synthetic (Mango, We Are All Astronauts, Lost Empire Remixes)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Synthetic | The Midnight". Bandcamp. August 5, 2016. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Synthetic (Mango, We Are All Astronauts, Lost Empire Remixes) | The Midnight". Bandcamp. December 18, 2017. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Deep House Essentials 2018 - Monstercat". Monstercat. January 25, 2018. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Silk Music Pres. Progressive House Essentials 07 - Monstercat". Monstercat. March 5, 2018. Archived from the original on September 30, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
‎

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Kids

Kids - album.jpg
This template is about the album. For the songs, see Kids (Prelude) and Kids (Reprise).
Kids
Album by
The Midnight
ReleasedSeptember 21, 2018
GenreSynthwave
Length33:51
LabelThe Midnight Music
ProducerTim McEwan
The Midnight chronology
Nocturnal - album.jpg
Nocturnal
(2017) 		Kids - album.jpg
Kids
(2018) 		Remixed 02 - album.jpg
The Midnight Remixed 02
(2019)
Singles from Kids
  1. "Lost Boy"
    Released: July 13, 2018
  2. "America 2"
    Released: August 3, 2018
  3. "Arcade Dreams"
    Released: September 7, 2018

Kids is the third album by The Midnight. It was released independently by the band on September 21, 2018,[1] and was preceded by the release of three singles: Lost Boy, America 2, and Arcade Dreams.

Background and composition

The Midnight's previous album Nocturnal featured a distinctive dark and noir sound. For the next album, Tim McEwan expressed a desire to move away from this sound and create music that was more upbeat and happy but still had some hints of sadness.[2] Inspired by the television show Stranger Things and the idea of living in the memories of childhood, McEwan called Tyler Lyle the day after the release of Nocturnal and shared this vision with him. Lyle was receptive to the idea, and thus the process of creating Kids began.

One of the first public mentions of a new release came during a November 2017 interview with Vehlinggo shortly after the release of Nocturnal. McEwan revealed that a new and more "summer feeling" EP was in development and planned for release in the spring or summer of 2018.[3] Giving an early hint at the theme, he stated, “I like to think about it as what the kids from Stranger Things are listening to when they’re not chasing monsters.” The band said on social media in March 2018 that the next album would be "dedicated to the disaffected youth."[4] In May, more info about the new album's direction and theme were shared, with the band stating the "the opening track on our next album is gonna hit you right in the feels" and that it would be their most ambitious album to date - the most challenging so far for McEwan as a producer.[5] They also stated that "A lot of the tracks on our new album are dedicated to late nights on the Internet."[6]

Kids trailer

On July 2, 2018, it was announced on the band's social media that a new single was imminent.[7] On July 6, a small snippet of the single's artwork was shown and a release date of July 13 was given.[8] The next day, the single was confirmed to be Lost Boy[9] and the full artwork was revealed on July 11.[10] On July 28, another single was teased.[11] On August 1, the second single was revealed to be America 2 and was slated for an August 3 release.[12] More songs were hinted at on August 11,[13] and on August 16 Kids was officially revealed with a video trailer.[14] The trailer played a small snippet from Kids (Reprise) and gave a release date of September 21 for the album. On September 5, Arcade Dreams was announced as the third and final single from Kids and was released on September 7.[15]

Kids was officially released on September 21, 2018.[1] Despite receiving more mixed reviews compared to previous The Midnight releases,[16][17][18][19][20] Kids was a successful release for the band commercially, debuting at number one on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Album Sales chart with week one sales of 2000 copies.[21] It also charted at number 12 on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart, number two on the Heatseekers Albums chart, and number 13 on the Independent Albums chart.[22]

The title Kids was suggested early in development by McEwan, with Lyle also approving of the name. At the time, he and his wife Anna were expecting their first child.[23] The first song created for Kids was Lost Boy, an old track of The Midnight's that had been written back in 2015 with Finnish DJ Lenno Linjama.[24] The song was originally titled In The Dark and had a more house feel compared to the final version. Although the band liked the track, they felt it wouldn't have fit well on Nocturnal and held the song out for a future release instead. Deciding to use the song for Kids, McEwan took the original demo and rebuilt the song, doubling the tempo and running the melody and beats in half-time. In the words of McEwan, Lost Boy would be a table-setter for the rest of Kids, which the band considers to be their first "theme" album.[25] The album was originally planned to be longer with more tracks, but it was decided to shorten the release to reduce Lyle's workload while he was caring for his newborn son. The band eventually decided to make Kids the first release in a trilogy series of albums, which would be followed by Monsters and Heroes.

The artwork for Kids was designed by Aaron Campbell, who also designed all the artwork for the album's singles as well.[26] The date on the album art for Kids, October 18, 1985, is a reference to the North American launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Singles

Lost Boy
July 13, 2018
America 2
August 3, 2018
Arcade Dreams
September 7, 2018

Track listing

All tracks are written by Tim McEwan and Tyler Lyle except for Lost Boy, which was written by Tyler Lyle, Tim McEwan, and Lenno Linjama.

Kids
No.TitleLength
1."Youth"3:09
2."Wave"4:31
3."Kids (Prelude)"2:13
4."Lost Boy"4:37
5."Saturday Mornings (Interlude)"0:57
6."Explorers"4:16
7."America 2"4:01
8."Arcade Dreams"4:03
9."Kids (Reprise)"6:04
Total length:33:51

Release history and variants

Digital release history for Kids
Date Edition
September 21, 2018 Standard
Kids - album.jpg
-
October 30, 2018[27] Instrumentals
Kids - album.jpg
Only includes songs that had vocals on the original release.
April 2, 2021 Stems
Kids - album.jpg
Contains the nine songs from the album denoted with BPMs plus 99 stem parts comprising all songs except for Kids (Prelude) and Saturday Mornings (Interlude). The stems are not royalty free but projects and remixes made with them are allowed to be used on non-monetized platforms.
Physical release history for Kids
Year Format Color/Design
2018 Cassette Transparent Purple
The-Midnight Casette Kids-Pink 1024x1024.webp
First tape variant. Color also referred to as pink.
2018 CD -
TM Web Music Kids CD.webp
Original release included a set of four postcards of artwork from Kids and its singles. One postcard in each set was signed by Tim and Tyler.
2018 LP Midnight Magenta
TM Web Music Kids LP Pink.webp
First vinyl variant. Preorders began prior to album release and started shipping in October. Saturday Mornings (Interlude) is not listed on the tracklist but is still present at the beginning of side B. After the initial run sold out, there was not a repress until late 2022.
2022 Cassette Transparent Green
TM Web Music Kids Casette Sea-Green.webp
Second tape variant. Color also referred to as "seafoam green".
2024 LP Transparent Pink
TM Web Music Kids LP Pink - 2.webp
Second vinyl variant.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Kids | The Midnight". Bandcamp. September 21, 2018. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  2. ↑ https://soundcloud.com/beyond-synth/170-themidnight%7CAt 1:49:55|
  3. ↑ "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.
  4. ↑ "The Midnight - Our next album is dedicated to the disaffected... | Facebook". Facebook. March 24, 2018. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  5. ↑ "The Midnight - The opening track on our next album is gonna hit... | Facebook". Facebook. May 19, 2018. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  6. ↑ "The Midnight - A lot of the tracks on our new album are dedicated... | Facebook". Facebook. May 20, 2018. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  7. ↑ "ｔｈｅ　ｍｉｄｎｉｇｈｔ (@themidnightofficial) • Instagram photos and videos". Instagram. July 2, 2018. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  8. ↑ "ｔｈｅ　ｍｉｄｎｉｇｈｔ (@themidnightofficial) • Instagram photos and videos". Instagram. July 6, 2018. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  9. ↑ "ｔｈｅ　ｍｉｄｎｉｇｈｔ (@themidnightofficial) • Instagram photos and videos". Instagram. July 7, 2018. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  10. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BlFSf9XHjB2/
  11. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl1N1s1nOUZ/
  12. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl8KbfYnpv7/
  13. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BmU06igFHS7/
  14. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BmitYzgFtFx/
  15. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/BnW2BPoF9cB/
  16. ↑ "Album Review: The Midnight - Kids - Iron Skullet". Iron Skullet. September 24, 2018. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  17. ↑ Vehling, Aaron (September 21, 2018). "The Midnight - Kids • Review • Vehlinggo". Vehlinggo. Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  18. ↑ Sievers, Alex (September 24, 2018). "Album Review: The Midnight - 'Kids' | KillYourStereo | Australian and International Punk, Hardcore, Metal, Rock and Indie Music News, Reviews, Interviews and Comps". Kill Your Stereo. Archived from the original on March 24, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  19. ↑ Treakle, James (July 15, 2019). "[Album Review] Not a Sentimental Age – Kids (2018) by The Midnight — Indie Frontiers". Indie Frontiers. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  20. ↑ Zistler, Andrew (September 23, 2018). "The Midnight - Kids - NewRetroWave - Stay Retro! | Live The 80's Dream!". NewRetroWave. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  21. ↑ Murray, Gordon (October 4, 2018). "The Midnight, Karel & XoJani and Whethan: Billboard Dance Chart Upstarts | Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 5, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  22. ↑ "The Midnight | Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  23. ↑ "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.
  24. ↑ https://soundcloud.com/beyond-synth/170-themidnight%7CAt 2:07:00|
  25. ↑ "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.
  26. ↑ "Aaron Campbell - The Midnight - KIDS". Aaron Campbell. Archived from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  27. ↑ https://themidnight.bandcamp.com/album/kids-the-instrumentals
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