What does midnight sound like? I'm sure you and I both know but I'm not sure if I could describe it. After listening to Midnight Season by T. Houze, I can say with confidence that he knows. You hear it straight away as you hit the play button the opening track, August Breeze. A phasing drum beat kicks things off, greeted with electric pianos, and some fantastic backing vocals from Millicent. When the beat kicks in proper, it's punchy and catchy, and Houze's flow suits it perfectly. It's a great start.
I've reviewed T. Houze before, his most recent album The Echoes of a Sunday Soul. I thought it was okay but his vocal style got to me a bit. For whatever reason, this album is hitting me better. I've actually thought about that review a lot and wondered if I was too harsh, I don't know, but whatever the deal I dug this album quite a lot.
One of the endearing things about Midnight Season is that Houze has set it up to feel like an intimate live performance. There are three interludes where things break down and he speaks directly to the listener, and apparently a live audience, and while it's perhaps a little corny I think it does do a good job to set the tone. I have my doubts as to whether there's a real audience there, but there could be, I imagine T. Houze is pretty good live.
Another thing that elevates this album, for me, is all the features. Of the eleven non-interval tracks, seven of them have guest vocalists, and every single one of them brings something special to their respective tracks. My favourite of this is probably Nikko Miles on No Sweat. This song is absolutely fantastic. Miles is great, but also the beat is really strong, too. Slap bass, muted guitar, electric pianos, and a really slick synth part. It's catchy, atmospheric, and enough to get any head bopping.
The other feature that I think deserves a special shout out is Nera Mamić, who lends her vocals to the closing track, Together We Float. Her voice is really distinctive, and she comes in like an explosion after T. Houze's understated flow in the verses.
Nothing says midnight here quite like Midnight's Theme, the last song before the third interlude where Houze says his goodnights. There's this subtle guitar riff that comes in after the verse that causes the whole song to swell, and it's enough to give you goosebumps. It's so good, so subtle, but you feel it, that warm summer night, a city skyline illuminated in the distance.
Not every track on this album hit me in quite the same way as the ones I've mentioned, but there are enough high moments to make this a pretty easy recommend for anyone who likes smooth jams and late night drives. Great stuff.
