It’s winter, and that means dark skies, cold weather and gloomy faces all round. We all need something to cheer us up at this time of year but fear not- Built to Break, the debut EP from Midnight Playlist, is guaranteed to do just that.
The sunshine breaks through right away with opening track ‘A Year in Hell’- not the most optimistic title, but the pop hooks sandwiched between classic rock riffs are nothing short of heavenly. These upbeat vibes give us a glimpse into the potential Midnight Playlist have as a live band; ‘Undone’ is one of the EP’s perfect summer songs, while ‘Hollow’ has an uncharted amount of fun and energy that, if reflected on stage, could draw in crowds from all over the country. If you close your eyes, you can definitely picture them on next year’s festival circuit- exactly where this record belongs.
Midnight Playlist have a rough, unpolished sound, vaguely familiar to where You Me At Six started with their demos and early releases. This sound is huge among fresh, new British rock bands right now, so there’s no doubt they will fit into that scene perfectly. However, Midnight Playlist should watch that they don’t get swallowed up by Blitz Kids, Natives and the many other UK bands who are playing a very similar game right now. Luckily, they have an emotional, heartfelt touch in songs such as ‘Desperate’, reminiscent of American pop-rock band Mayday Parade, which could help set them apart if developed further.
Built to Break is a little rough around the edges but, if you find yourself feeling down during the winter months, it’s sure to inject a burst of sunshine into those dark December days.
