Heartbreak anthems
> The teens who make up Midnight Fusic are not shy about showing emotional vulnerability through their songs
THE FOUR boys of indie band Midnight Fusic are all just turning 18 this year, but they already display a mature and level-headed approach in tackling the local music industry, as seen in the first two singles from their debut EP scheduled to be launched in April.
The first track, Heart of May, written by the boys themselves – Raja Arif Aizuddin (vocals and rhythm guitar), Adrian Danial (lead guitar), Firdaus Azmi (bass), and Muaz Rabbani (drums) – is about a heartbroken man unable to move on.
Released last September, it peaked at No.1 on the Hitz.fm Met 10 Charts, all while the boys were still preparing for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.
The band’s name, Midnight Fusic, has its origins in the teens’ penchant for staying up late.
When met for an interview, the band members (minus Muaz, who was unable to attend) revealed the story behind their name and music.
Originally, Midnight Fusic – first coined by Arif – had a meaning most people could relate to.
“Fusic came from ‘food and music’ combined, because we like to eat food and listen to music at midnight,” Arif said, laughing.
“It was kind of stupid and kind of funny, so we changed it to ‘fusion of music’. So, it kind of makes more sense [now], but the initial plan was food and music.”
Quirky name-origin story aside, the band – recently signed to Sony Music – is ranking high on the relatability factor, especially for young adults navigating feelings of love and heartache, with an injection of spirit from the 80s.
More recently, the uber cool and moody music video for the second single, Lovesick, dropped on Jan 25 on YouTube.
“Lovesick is actually a prequel to Heart of May,” said Adrian, who also helped pen the song based on Arif’s own experiences.
“It’s about the same guy (from Heart of May) but it takes place right before the breakup. He’s in a very toxic relationship and he’s confused as to what is happening, but is so afraid to let go of the other girl.”
The upcoming EP won’t just be full of heartbreak, but also reflections of the experiences the band members go through.
And as they continue to open up through their music, fans will be able to have more relateable moments. From falling in love to personal feelings about self-doubt, the boys are not shy about showing their listeners that they are not alone in the vulnerability they feel in life.
Arif said: “We’ve all been through a lot ever since we wrote Heart of May. It’s safe to say the EP will probably be full of what we feel, and what we want to show to the world.”
Citing riffy songs and funky basslines from other established bands like The 1975 and The Smiths as an influence on their own music, the boys of Midnight Fusic aim to create relevant tunes by merging the sound of the retro 80s with their own direction.
With a flair for contrasting sad lyrics and an almost breezy beat, the band aims to make its songs as catchy as possible, avoiding the stereotypical impression of ‘sad love songs’.
As Arif puts it: “It’s like having fun on the outside, but feeling very heartbroken on the inside.”