Isn’t great to observe a band blooming? By that, we mean observing their sound slowly evolve, from their early days and half-done mixes/poor recording quality to the present, with serious productions and a product that doesn’t shy away from comparison with bigger names. Well, you can spot the same journey in Lakeside by Midnight’s music. Emerging from Geneva, Switzerland, the group enjoy a sound that’s balanced over a wide variety of genre; from fuzzy guitars to poignant piano riff, to folk-flavoured vocals. There’s a bit of everything in it, and that’s what makes the Swiss quartet so special: they are never afraid to explore, following their inspiration through various musical idioms. What really matters is the result.
And the result is indeed here. ‘Thieves & Queen’ marks a definite shift in quality and identity from previous releases. Overall, you can expect eight kaleidoscopic tracks, from the pop-rock vibes of ‘M.K.T.M/’ and ‘Bruises’, to the slow-tempo ballad feels of ‘Diana’ and ‘Sally’, passing through the light funk energy of ‘Love, Scarlet’. The constant, though, is the band’s lead vocal, perhaps its most impressive feature. Always on point, precise, evocative and capable of performing at different intensities: Prith can really deliver. Fellow members Ben, Matt and Tom complete a killer line-up, really coming on its own in ‘Thieves & Queen’.
Lyrically, their songs focus on life’s struggles and challenges, as Lakeside by Midnight explain: “The album is inspired from personal experiences in the deepest moments of despair, stemming from depression, heartbreak, and criminality, as well as the beautiful moments in life that help overcome them; the album follows the narrative of a young person voyaging through life.”
They are also on the hunt for a permanent bassist, so if the album resonates with you and you play bass, give them a shout-out!
Recommended! Discover ‘Thieves & Queen’ on Spotify:
