Track-by-track by Eighty Ninety
Photo credit: Eric T. White
The album explores unspoken words, missed opportunities, and moments that may seem wasted. But it's not just about dwelling on these experiences - it's about how they combine to create a meaningful life. In these songs we wanted to reflect the transformative power of these moments, showing that as we navigate them we may discover depth, purpose, and genuine connection.
"Ruins"
With “Ruins," we aimed to create a song that reflects on the past, missed opportunities, and lingering 'what ifs.' It's an attempt to capture the heartbreaks of youth and how they influence who we become. We combine gentle vocals with simple four-piece band inspired indie-pop production, aiming to capture the essence of youthful romance and its impact on our current selves.
"Stay Alive"
This song is particularly meaningful to us. It addresses the challenges of mental health and its impact on relationships. Originating from a low point, we aimed to convey hope and the promise of easier, better days. It's also an expression of gratitude for the support from loved ones. We started with a mellow guitar to set a gentle mood and get progressively louder and more forceful — expressing the intensity and hope in the lyrics.
"Next To Me"
In this song we explored the complexities of love, especially when influenced by past family experiences. We wanted to delve into the effects of parental relationships on our understanding and expression of love. It’s about the struggle to find closeness and understanding, despite past traumas. The song aims to express a yearning for a genuine connection, hoping for someone to be 'next to me,' both physically and emotionally.
"The Hard Way"
"The Hard Way" is about loving and committing to someone despite life's challenges. It's about the bravery of commitment, acknowledging fears, and still finding it worth the risk. We started with soft piano chords and built with each chorus, reflecting the testing of a relationship by life's trials. We tried to convey the beauty in hope and perseverance in love.
"2 Carat"
"2 Carat" is about the realization that sometimes the right person can come at the wrong time. It's about reflecting on missed opportunities and the 'what ifs' of a past relationship. We wrapped the song in a gentle blend of synth and percussion, aiming to highlight feelings of regret and longing.
"Conspiracy Theorist"
This track delves into the insecurities and fears in our minds — particularly in relationships and how we can create our own negative narratives. The song is our attempt to capture the struggle of reconciling these internal stories with the desire to build a life together with someone, and the fear that we won't ever be able to.
"Gone by the Morning"
In "Gone by the Morning" the lyrics narrate the transient nature of connections. We wanted to convey a sense of restlessness and the search for something more meaningful in relationships - but we also wanted to present an optimistic perspective, suggesting the possibility of leaving past patterns behind and starting a new life together. The full lyric, "we could be gone by the morning" is almost a flip of what you might expect. It's like a prayer that you might leave your old life behind and begin again, but this time, with someone you love.
"I’ll Be There (Ft. Middle Youth)"
This song is about making a promise to be present for a person you love, even when life is at its most difficult. The production leans on an eclectic palette that defines the Middle Youth sound: it builds slowly from a sparse acoustic arrangement to a kitchen-sink climax that pulls in sounds ranging from synth bass to banjo.
"Face Like a Sunset"
Our goal with this track was to capture those small moments when you realize you're falling in love. We tried to parallel the beauty and temporariness of moments with the imagery of a sunset. We aimed for a blissful atmosphere, combining expressive vocals with sun-soaked indie-pop melodies.
"Don't Know it Yet"
We wanted to end the record with another prayer - almost like manifesting something by saying it and believing it. It's an optimistic song about the beginnings of a relationship, where the future is uncertain, but the present feels right. It’s about acknowledging the potential for love and the gradual realization of its existence. The song captures the early stages of a relationship, filled with excitement and apprehension, and the journey towards understanding and accepting the depth of one's feelings. So may we all.