64. Review of Tightrope by Midnite Gossip

Originally Published on November 18th, 2024

About the Artist

In 2011, I was still enlisted and serving in the United States Army. That summer, my unit had the opportunity to travel to our neighbors in the north as we spent a month in Canada working with the Canadian Army and exchanging methods on how we did the particular jobs we did in the military. It was an incredible trip as we got to learn about each other’s cultures, we got to visit cities in Canada, and for me, it was the first time ever leaving the States. It was an incredible feeling to know my feet were standing on Earth belonging to a different part of the world. 

In America (possibly in other parts of the world) there is a stereotype that goes with Canada as being a culture of nice people. My experience was that this was a fitting observation as everybody I had the chance to meet was absolutely great. Another thing I got to experience while there was, in our trips to cities over the weekend, there is a fantastic and diverse culture of music in Canada. There are obviously some big names from Canada like Shania Twain and the ever-famous Justin Bieber, music is more than just the top bill. What about when I walk into a bar in the middle of Ottawa or Montreal? Who do they have strumming out there that is still strumming out their deepest emotions onto a 6-string for $100 and a few Loonies and Toonies in a tip jar? The answer is Canada doesn’t disappoint on the musical front. Period. 

Take the band Midnite Gossip for example. Coming from Alberta, they have an expert sound and production quality that sounds like they could have been produced out of LA or Nashville without a second thought. They are Nicky Markin and Mickey Valenz. Formed in 2022, Midnite Gossip made their debut with the single Streetlights on December 21st, 2022.

Though they’ve only been around for a couple of years, Midnite Gossip have demonstrated they have the talent, the right sound, and the determination to thrive as independent artists and possibly cross over into mainstream. With the release of their 2024 live EP titled Live featuring their two released singles and covers like Kavinsky's Nightcall but with an introduction composed similarly to London Grammar's release of the song, they exhibit a talent to be dynamic performers.

As Midnite Gossip prepare to release their debut EP in 2025, they have released their first single in nearly two years.

About the Song

Tightrope is an alt-pop single by Midnite Gossip that released on November 8th, 2024. With a runtime of approximately Three and a half minutes, it features Markin on vocals and programming by Valenz.

About the Music

Musically, there are several synthetic and programmed effects bringing in the track. A sub part, synth strings, xylophone, and it sounds like a film projector sound effect at the very beginning. Markin’s vocals come over the top of this. Then a piano comes over the progression giving emphasis to the chords.

The layered vocals are significantly beautiful on this track. The different levels, pans, and reverb levels really allow the melody to bounce from layer to layer in a complex way. Taking a vocal part, saturating with reverb and throwing a reverse effect allows for such a strong build for a song that presents as a ballad. 

The percussion is subtle, yet dynamic. The production really picks the right times to transition and bring the perfect amount of energy with each of these transitions. 

The anchor of the instrumental melody is the wonderful bass line played by the sub synth. It is so strong, it allows for the rest of the instrumental parts to navigate with plenty of creative freedom. 

Midnite Gossip cite Massive Attack as an influence, which I can definitely hear. I would also through London Grammar and the incredible work she is doing as a comparable artist. I’m going to throw another artist in here that I think is completely brilliant; especially since she really embraced the alt-pop sound that she’s honestly sort of pioneered. I think there is a strong influence to some of the more experimental work that P!nk has done in recent years. 

About the Lyrics

Lyrically, this song delivers a relatable and impactful delivery that is as strong, if not more, as the incredible quality of the music and instrumentation of Tightrope. 

Tightrope isn’t the typical breakup song, yet it addresses an experience many have had the misfortune of being in. The narrator has rolled the dice in initiating a breakup to invoke a reaction from their subject; only she doesn’t get the reaction she was hoping for:

“It’s like I’m walking on a tightrope, tightrope. I can’t go left, I can’t go right. I need to balance but I’m waiting. Keep moving forward but I embrace the flight.” 

The song opens with the narrator delivering the chorus which serves as an analogy for how they are feeling being in a situation they have lost control in.

“Last week I told you I wanted to leave. Your face said it all, now I can’t sleep. No turning back on those words now. I wish you weren’t so fast to agree.”

Here, the narrator is recapping the events that have them feeling as though they’re on a tightrope. The narrator has told the subject they want to end a relationship; not expecting the subject wouldn’t fight the decision. Now, the narrator is regretting saying the words as she feels hurt by the subject’s willingness to grant her wish. 

Here, there are two things that could be happening. The narrator could be wanting the relationship back completely, or the narrator could be dealing with the hurt of the indifference being presented by the subject, even though it has no bearing on the narrator’s decision.

“I packed my things in a cardboard box. I wrapped them up so neatly. There’s nothing left of me to take now. Kinda wish you cared more than me.”

This verse is my favorite. Because the actions mean two things. The physical representation of both physical and emotional possessions the narrator is recognizing that they’re removing from the place where this relationship dwelled is so powerful, and leaves such an emotional impact, it’s almost overwhelming. The lyric “there’s nothing left of me to take now,” is so beautiful. So sad. So tragic. The narrator has effectively made a deep connection to the listener; that back packing up their belongings, they have given so much more for their listeners to unpack as they muscle through the tragic events of this song.

Final Thoughts

This is why I love Midnite Gossip: they’re musicianship is at a level that is much better than the norm for the genre they perform in. However, they don’t advertise this fact with big neon signs that toe the line of pretentiousness. They instead attack the complexities of their music with subtle, quiet, and brilliant scales of melodic beauty that stay resonating with the listener long after the track has ended. They write about topics that are so familiar with their listeners but they confront the common occurrences with unique twists and perspectives; allowing the listener to ponder these perspectives in a different light. They allow the listener to feel and yet observe situations objectively. This makes the experience both unique to the listener while also welcoming them to a community of people who have a shared similar experience. 

Brilliant.

After hearing the effort Midnite Gossip has given in just one song, I cannot wait to see what they do with an entire EP. I have no idea what to expect except that I can expect something incredible!

You can hear Tightrope here. You can follow Midnite Gossip here and here. You can obtain your VERY OWN Midnite Gossip merch, leave a “tip” in their virtual tip jar, and see more upcoming information at their website as well!

Stop what you’re doing and go press play!