Ever feel like you were born a bit too late? Like you missed out on the heyday of chunky guitar riffs, anthemic choruses, and the raw, unfiltered emotion of late 90s and early 2000s pop-punk? For those of us who’ve only experienced these iconic eras through vintage playlists and the worn-out concert tees of cooler, older siblings, Sydney’s new band, Forever at Midnight, offers a ticket back in time with their debut single, "Meant To Be."
Released on August 2, 2024, "Meant To Be" captures that quintessential pop-punk spirit reminiscent of giants like Paramore and Fall Out Boy, infused with a touch of Phantogram’s electronic flair. It’s as if the band has distilled the essence of angsty teen movies into a three-minute blast of sonic nostalgia. In a way, this single is a revival of the days when music felt like the only friend who truly understood the highs and lows of teenage angst.
Liv Howlett’s vocals cut through with clarity and power, echoing the assertiveness of the senior girl from the AP English class I was put in as a freshman—confident and utterly unapologetic. Man...I wanted to be Abby Baker! Evan Hughes on drums and Josh Kim on guitars create a backdrop that’s both fresh and familiar, evoking memories that transition from school years to those endless summer days, dreaming in the backseat of a car, unsure of the destination but relishing the ride...stereo turned all the way up, nowhere to go, but also not stopping until I got there.
The lyrics of "Meant To Be" speak of unrequited love and the bittersweet pangs of adolescent yearning, themes that resonate deeply whether you’re fifteen or fifty. It’s a track that makes you want to jump around in your room, singing into a hairbrush microphone, letting every lyric wash over you like the first time you ever heard a guitar wail and understood that what it cried about was the same thing you're crying about.
Don't get me wrong, Forever at Midnight is not just rehashing the same old tune; this track feels like the start of someone rekindling a fire for a new generation of listeners and offering a bridge for those of us who wish we’d been part of the original scene. With "Meant To Be," they promise more than just a single hit—they hint at the beginning of an era where pop-punk reigns supreme once more. Are they going to lead the way? The polish and shine on this single definitely makes it sound like that's the goal.
So, whether you're a nostalgic soul trapped in a young body or a elder punk looking to recapture your youth, Forever at Midnight is here to remind us that some feelings, like the chords of a good pop-punk song, are timeless...unlike Abby Baker. I'll bet she hasn't aged well at all.