Yes, it’s been a rough year, here in America. This was a single that happened while I was traveling recently but I’ve wanted to discuss it since it is only growing more relevant day by day. This is the second single by Midniter, a new project spearheaded by Nic Pugh, who had been a member of bands Pleatherboys, Paint Fumes, and Jaggermouth. Now he’s signed to Charlotte’s Sugartank! Records who are working extensively with LGBTQ+ bands and allies within that scene. I’m two hours away in Asheville, so this is practically local for me! Let’s get into it.

Midniter: Alarmist – US – DL [2025]

1. Alarmist 3:02

The track opened with slack synths not a million miles away from a 70s Fender Rhodes Electric Piano feel with insistent, but gentle drum machine rhythm popping underneath it. Then Nic’s vocal swooped in to command the center stage; revealing plenty of fire that seeped in from his earlier rock bands in his delivery. But the vibe here was both on edge vocally and chilled out instrumentally; creating dissonance that put the listener on high alert.

The middle eight featured a drop where the drums and the odd reverse percussion were all that accompanied Nic until the track want off the simmer and began its climactic boil. Until just the lurching bass synth and drum machine ultimately ground down to a halt. Since this track is mostly just streaming, and is without a Bandcamp presence, we’ll embed the excellent video by Yawn Productions below.

I enjoy the defiant music for defiant times and the urgency of the song comes as we spend each morning doomscrolling to see new attacks on variously scapegoated populations. Don’t worry, with fascism, we will all get our chance to be persecuted sooner or later, unless we all act. This is streaming in all of the usual places, but if you would like this song in your permanent collection, its available in the usual download shops. $1.29 in Amazon or $0.99 in iTunes; the choice is yours. Choice doesn’t enter into it as Midniter was clearly compelled to create this song, and we’re all richer for it. Here’s hoping he takes to the stages on tour so he can spread the music locally.

-30-