On October 8th, 2025, the pop-rock band Midnight Til Morning put out their debut EP Afterglow. Since being formed on the Netflix show ‘Building The Band’ the four piece – consisting of Conor Smith, Zach Newbould, Mason Watts and Shane Appell – has put out two double singles: ‘Bye’ and ‘Ghost of Us’ in August and ‘Navy Eyes’ and ‘Welcome to LA’ in September. Coming from having solo careers to now being in a band together, the four boys really caught global attention both during as well as after the TV show and wasted no time in putting their music out.
Now onto their debut EP; Afterglow is a seven-song record with a fun mix of upbeat feel-good songs and some slower nostalgic ones. The first song and also first single is called ‘Bye’. It’s a song about not wanting to stop making memories and not having to be apart: “Can we keep pretending, that nothing’s gonna change and we can stay like this forever?“. It’s a sweet song about missing someone and wanting to stay close to them.
The next track ‘Heart on Fire’ is an adorable love song. It tells the story of falling for someone and wanting the other person to reciprocate the feelings (a.k.a. setting one’s heart on fire with their love). During the verses, the boys sing about the other person and how they feel when they’re around them: “I thought the temperature just hit a record high, But then I looked to my left, and you were right by my side.” // “Somehow, your kisses always feels like thе first.”.
‘17’ is the third song on the record and one of the slower ones. When you listen to it, there’s a wave of nostalgia in the air. The song talks about how life was at 17 and how we sometimes wish to go back to these days: “We used to be young and dumb.” // “We said we’d never grow up.” // “And I know that’s life, but sometimes I wish we could be seventeen.”.
Track four is called ‘Welcome to LA’ and is a slower song that’s basically an honest and raw way of describing the life of an artist living in LA. It also talks about missing someone in another timezone, since no matter how alive LA is always made out to be – it can actually be pretty lonely. “Lonely parties and made-up stories. Welcome to LA, you won’t wanna stay […] But I keep checking the world clock to see if you’re awake.“.
With ‘Navy Eyes’, the band picks up the pace of the EP again. The track talks about wanting your person to want you to stay and not having to leave, similar to ‘Bye’. “If I grabbed the keys and started leavin’, would you fight for us to keep me right here?” // “I don’t wanna fall just to let it go, stay in my arms through the afterglow.”.
‘Edge of Amazing’ is the sixth song on the EP and a truly uplifting track. It talks about coming out on the other side after harder times and always pushing through. “I could write a million sad songs […] How the darkness tries to kill me and hurt the people that I love.” // “I’ll be ready for your best, for your worst. Baby, right now, we’re standing on the edge (of amazing).“.
Closing the EP with the upbeat song ‘Ghost of Us’, the band talks about not being able to forget that special someone and still reliving the shared memories. “[…] it’s been hard to let you go. I’ve done it all to try to cope, I’m still in love with the ghost of us.“. It’s the perfect way to end the EP and concludes the entire record because honestly – the listeners won’t be able to forget this EP either.
If you’re not already a huge fan I suggest you check out Midnight Til Morning on streaming platforms and also Youtube for music videos of a few of their songs. And if you’re already as hooked as me – get your tickets for their first tour that’s happening right now all the way until next year!
Written by: Lara Thissen
Edited by: Mandy Huibregtsen
