This record is felt prior to it being heard. It begins as a rumbling in your chest like a train going off to a distant place in the dark. The music comes first, your mind comes second.
The first song is titled "Cruel Wind" and it hits the target right on the head. No slow build at all. The guitar sounds immediately as soon as it is delivered, and the singing is authentic and lived-in. It never sounds like somebody is acting. Once the chorus begins, the voice opens up in an honest way, like so many feelings have been suppressed and are now coming out.
The title track “Midnight Train” gets the vibe going a bit differently, yet still energetic. It exudes confidence in classic rock without being overpowering. The chorus remains in your memory after it's finished. There's also a calm sadness to it, though. The song is in a state of being torn between forward motion and clinging to what's being left behind.
"Keep Me Hanging On" takes things in a different direction. This is led by a woman's voice, tired yet quiet. The guitar is very close to her and enhances the feeling, rather than distracting from it. Everything pulls back for a moment just before the end grows bigger. That pause says a lot, and you hear even more.
Then comes “1991” and it comes with a bang. The main guitar riff is massive and substantial, and the drum beat is solid and never lets up. The entire song is made to be played loud! There's also a strong chorus that keeps resonating in your head after the song has ended.
The final song, “You Tried Your Best,” caps it all off in another way. It starts quietly and softly, drawing you in. Then, all of a sudden, it gets much heavier. That change feels natural. It has a sense of trying to be in control until you can't be anymore.
The story of these songs makes a difference in their meaning. They came from a deep and painful past and lived through hardships, and that message is hard to miss, even if you don't know the backstory. The music does not sound like it's created to impress or to chase success. This is just a simple but meaningful way to stand out.
The one thing I remember most about this record is that the artists felt compelled to create it. It doesn't appear to be made to please anyone else. Lior Golan and Gabriel Lefelman spent years developing these songs, and you can feel that effort in the EP. Some records are for fun. This one leaves you thinking after you finish it.
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