In the sonic aftermath of STRFKR’s “Maps” begins the epic synth of M83’s “Midnight City.” The thing about “Midnight City” is the way it floods you with memories because of the time it evokes—it drips with 80’s nostalgia. But “Midnight City” also feels prophetic—evoking dreams you have not dreamt yet. “Midnight City” could easily be the outro of Donnie Darko. The lyrics, simple yet expansive, are like haiku poetry:
Waiting for a word
Looking at the milky skyline
The city is my church (city is my church)
It wraps me in its blinding twilight
The call and response of Anthony Gonzalez’s vocals are the equivalent of making the jump to lightspeed in the Millennium Falcon. Don’t mistake the reverence for the city as blaspheme; it is clear Gonzalez is seeking something divine as he composes—staring upon Los Angeles, that city of angels, from high in the hills. As with all pilgrims, he is “waiting,” and “Midnight City” is his prayer.
"Midnight City"
Waiting in the car
Waiting for a ride in the dark
At night the night city grows
Look at the horizon glow
Waiting in the car
Waiting for a ride in the dark
Drinking in the lights
Following the neon signs
Waiting for a word
Looking at the milky skyline
The city is my church (city is my church)
It wraps me in its blinding twilight
Waiting in a car
Waiting for a ride in the dark
Waiting in a car
Waiting for the right time
Waiting in a car
Waiting for the right time
Waiting in a car
Waiting for the right time
Waiting in a car
Waiting for the right time
Waiting in a car
Waiting for the right time
Waiting in a car
Waiting for the right time
About the Song of the Day:
Another form of my favorite form of cycles are song-cycles—song-cycles of great albums, and of course song-cycles of mixes. I have made cycles of mixes for friends for years—Mix-tapes in high-school and college—Mix-cds in grad-school and beyond. Now that cds have lost a bit of their shine in the wake of streaming services, I’ve struggled to find my footing with sharing mixes with friends. My goal here is to share songs that culminate in mixes—one song a day until a mix is completed. I will then post the complete mix and then begin a new cycle.