The debut EP from Midnight Flowers, a Philadelphia based dream pop duo, is a combination of dreamy and glowing synth pop from the 80s with the undying energy of indie rock from the 00s. The highs are never too ecstatic, but the lows never veer into morose melancholy. Its’s a very settled record, comfortable with its vibe and atmosphere in a way that smoothly serenades you into floating alongside the soundscape. Tatiana Orr’s serene vocal performance quirkily glides over Charles Kaericher’s modest but transportive guitar and drum work.
Having grown up across markedly different backgrounds, with Tatiana being trained in classical vocal performance and and Charles playing in post-punk and hardcore groups, their confluence is especially unique. Moreover, the duo also has an even more unique origin story. With Charles’ being married to Tatiana’s sister, and having known her since high school, their bond and connection has a storied history to it. A duo of in-laws, and a marriage of seemingly conflicting styles makes Midnight Flowers all that much more intriguing to deep dive into. It was only until the pandemic came around did the duo fully embark on exploring their potential as a musical force.
Tatiana’s lyrics across We All Seem Fine describe a young women dealing with first loves, the fallout of said love, and attempting to figure out life after growing up within a religious ideology you no longer find yourself associating with. Just about every song on the EP contains at least one of these topics whether it’s the post-punk opener Shades of Blue, the pop / rock and roll song Sleep This Off or the center piece epic Some Time. It’s therefore equal parts eclectic in substance and style. A dream pop album ahead of its time from a duo crafted by a moment in time.