Various Artists - Nocturnal - The Best Of Midnight Music

Nocturnal - The Best Of Midnight Music is a definitive compilation album released in 1990 that highlights the distinct post-punk, darkwave, and indie pop sounds of the independent British record label Midnight Music. The collection serves as a sonic time capsule of the 1980s underground music scene, capturing the moody, atmospheric, and often melancholic aesthetic that defined the label's roster. It features signature tracks from influential underground acts such as Sad Lovers & Giants, The Essence, and The Snake Corps, alongside upbeat jangle pop contributions from bands like The Popguns and McCarthy.

Today, the compilation remains highly regarded by collectors and fans of gothic rock and early indie music. While original physical CD and vinyl pressings from the early 1990s are sought-after items on collectors' marketplaces like Discogs, the entire album has been preserved for modern audiences through digital reissues. It is fully accessible on major streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, allowing a new generation of listeners to explore the influential catalog of this classic independent UK label.

Nocturnal - The Best Of Midnight Music is an exceptional retrospection that captures the haunting, moody brilliance of the late-1980s British underground music scene. Released in 1990 by the independent label Midnight Music, this compilation acts as a seamless sonic journey through darkwave, gothic rock, and jangly indie pop. Rather than feeling like a disjointed mixtape of random artists, the record is masterfully curated, carrying a distinct, atmospheric "after-hours" identity that perfectly justifies its evocative title.

The compilation’s greatest strength lies in its balance between gloomy introspection and upbeat alternative rhythms. The album sets a sublime baseline with Sad Lovers & Giants’ "Things We Never Did" and The Snake Corps’ "Science Kills", both of which deliver the swirling, chorus-heavy guitars and brooding basslines that defined post-punk. Conversely, the inclusion of jangle-pop pioneers like McCarthy and The Popguns injects the tracklist with melodic energy. This clever programming ensures that the album never bogs down in its own melancholy, keeping listeners engaged through shifting tempos and textures.

Critically, the compilation functions beautifully as an archival time capsule for a label that pushed boundaries from the fringes of the UK music industry. Side-by-side tracks from Dutch goth-rockers The Essence highlight Midnight Music’s willingness to look beyond the UK to build a cohesive global aesthetic. Every contribution, from the skeletal rhythms of Blyth Power to the lush arrangements of Candlestick Park, sounds like it belongs to the same nocturnal universe. The production across the board carries that unmistakable late-80s analog warmth, with just enough reverb to give the tracks a haunting, expansive depth.

Ultimately, Nocturnal stands as an essential listen for vinyl diggers and alternative music historians alike. While some casual listeners might find a few of the deeper cuts towards the end of the tracklist to be slightly repetitive, the sheer historical value and curation override any minor lulls. It is a rare compilation that manages to tell a complete story about a specific era, making it a highly recommended hidden gem for anyone looking to explore the roots of modern darkwave and indie rock.

Ripped to MP3

1. Sad Lovers & Giants – "Things We Never Did"

2. The Snake Corps – "Science Kills"

3. The Essence – "Like Christ"

4. The Essence – "A Mirage"

5. The Popguns – "Someone You Love"

6. The Popguns – "Gesture"

7. The Corn Dollies – "Nothing Of You"

8. McCarthy – "Keep An Open Mind Or Else"

9. The Wolfhounds – "Rent Act"

10. Sad Lovers & Giants / The Essence – "Sleep"

11. Western Promise – "Promised Land"

12. Sheriff Jack – "Everybody Twist"

13. Blyth Power – "Better To Bat"

14. Sun And The Moon - "Adam's Song"

15. Hackney Five 0 - "Catalogue (Of Truble And The Blues)"

16. The Invisible - "Love Street"

17. Sudden Afternoon - "Acid Rain"

18. Ever – "Virgin Eyes"

19. Candlestick Park – "All The Time In The World"

20. Fuel - "Honey Comes Softly"