The Sea At Midnight – Burning (2024)
Sauntering through fields of rock, post-punk, indie-pop and psychedelia, The Sea At Midnight is a kaleidoscopic concoction of experimental music reaching beyond the realms of anything “normal”. True, it’s not exactly aliens waving overhead sending songs into your brain with lasers, but it is as obscure and off-kilter as those hypothetical alien music makers. Perfectly named, The Sea At Midnight’s sound might be compared to the lustrous, dangerous, but calming sea at midnight; however, a tumultuousness lurks beneath adding a grittier side to the hypnotic brand.
Eager to share a provocative glance of reality in all its glory – from beautiful bliss to desperate tragedy – The Sea At Midnight opts to delve into “urgent global issues… with profound awareness”. Following the well-received ‘Wait For Rain’ and ‘Chopping Them Down’, singer-songwriter Vince Grant joins Marco Cattani of Chemical Waves to create ‘Burning’. Originally a collaboration of Grant’s words and Cattani’s sounds, ‘Burning’ first appeared on Chemical Waves’ album II (Emotional Violence); however, after broaching the idea of an EP centred around climate change, Grant asked if he could compose his own version of the original ‘Burning’… this is what captures our ears today.
Joined by Marco Cattani and produced by Chris King, The Sea At Midnight’s ‘Burning’ breathes life into old-school post-punk dragging you to the years of The Cure and Depeche Mode. Yet, just as there is a haziness in the melody, it’s pulsating drums match bold bass and a soaring guitar; a rock-driven intensity rushing through a foggy flush of post-punk. In my opinion, the lyricism and overall melody are intriguing, but it is the emotion interwoven that ups the ante. Rock rushes prompt urgency while the heavier post-punk glaze is an almost palpable sense of societal indifference. Vince Grant explains:
“’Burning’ is about climate change and I have not heard many songs dealing with this subject, which frankly is a little strange since it is literally the most important story of our time. Just yesterday, we were told the North Pole is moving, so I think the importance of this song speaks for itself… Climate change is both the story and global happening behind this release.”
In addition to the single, The Sea At Midnight released an official music video for ‘Burning’. You can view the video below or on his YouTube channel. Please note this video uses effects that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
Find out more about The Sea At Midnight on his Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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