Nyx Divions - Midnight Lights

Nyx Division’s new album Midnight Lights expands on what worked with 2022's Dark Star, allowing the band to display their growthing formula which has been fine-tuned to allow for a moody atmosphere while still rocking out. The drumming gives a more deliberate pulse under the wall of sound that is the opening track, sinewy guitar crawls under the vocals of Domino Monet, which have matured to include a wider range of emotional colors. The guitar riffs to  'Soldier of Love' are not unlike the more romantic moments which post-punk evolved into in the 1980s, whilst simultaneously adding a harder rock heft. Monet's voice provides a commanding counterbalance for this, as a suited narrative for the punk undercurrent driving the song. 

'Black Glass' carries the dark, elegant sound of goth, rather than the stark tension of post-punk. Domino's voice unfurls a delicate purr to give the melody more nuance, as the grow of the bass line anchors the song. Things then swing back in a more post-punk direction with 'Tomorrow', and this momentum carries over into 'Blood For Sale,' and though they begin dropping more hook-oriented rock choruses, Monet’s voice starts to take on a more belted Pat Benatar like feel, giving the hooks more punch. Doing this allows the band to have their own identity rather than just being another female-fronted punk band with a singer who is doing her best Siouxsie impersonation. 

The title track also utilizes more anthemic '80s radio rock guts and makes the chorus stick to your ears. The last track is sonically cool but comes across as more of an outro. For long-time fans of the band who enjoyed their last record, this one delivers everything you liked about it while perfecting what they do in terms of songwriting quality and unlike many of their peers in the post-punk revival community, Nyx Division are more willing to rock out with a fiery energy. This not only makes for a more interesting listen but demonstrates the confidence they have in their identity as a band. 

 If you have yet to check these guys out, then this album serves as an effective entry point for fans of dark music, taking you back to the golden darkness of the genre’s peak years without just replicating the sound of the era and hoping for the best. The songs make it clear that they are not just seeking to be an homage to classic Goth, but that the blended Rock sounds are outside of what was going on in the scene in the late 70's. They only momentarily wink in Batcave's direction, to create something that is more fun atmosphere, as opposed to just hiding in the opaque aura of a smoke-filled stage for punks dressing up for Halloween.