MIDNIGHTCHOIR has confirmed the forthcoming release of their second album, Loverboy Molotov to be released July 14, 2023. The NYC electronic act have also shared, accompanying music video (directed and edited by lead vocalist and songwriter Patrick Bobilin) and a B-Side cover of Bauhaus’ “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” — today, they share the LP’s second single, “Lovecrimes,” alongside a lyric video and B-Side cover of INXS’ “Need You Tonight” (featuring guitar from David Simutis of Err0r C0de). MIDNIGHTCHOIR will be performing live as a two-piece lineup including Sarah Simon of dreampop act slagoona and will display digital visuals created by Bobilin.

Speaking on this new single, Bobilin wrote:

“After 7 years of being in the public eye, the only times I felt I could be myself were at NYC dance bars like Pyramid Club or Saint Vitus. I started traveling to Austin, TX more often to visit a group of friends, free from the political infamy I’d become ensnared in. I recorded it quickly in one night, with the urgency of having to get out of town and shake loose of those tangles. ‘Lovecrimes’ was inspired by late nights in NYC and dancing at Barbarella in Austin, where they always play INXS on 80’s Night. The cover of ‘Need You Tonight’ was also inspired by those late nights and features guitar from David Simutis who I met at an office job and who I learned was a seasoned indie rock vet, having engineered and played on some of the coolest records of the last 20 years.”

In the seven years since the release of their debut THE CROWN, Bobilin ran for statewide office, was arrested repeatedly in 2020 protests, and founded a Manhattan mutual aid organization. Bobilin’s love for 80s goth rock and pounding electronic beats combined with his political experiences color the tone and tenor of the 10 songs on the album.

The combinations of sex, politics, and gothic imagery explain the lyrical content and the inclusion of three covers: Bauhaus’ “Bela Lugosi’s Dead,” INXS’ “Need You Tonight,” and “Personal Jesus” by Depeche Mode.

Patrick Bobilin has been producing music as MIDNIGHTCHOIR since 2014. Loverboy Molotov is the second album from MIDNIGHTCHOIR and the first release since 2016’s THE CROWN, mixed and produced with Chicago electronic producer Jeremiah Meece.

Since then, Bobilin ran for public office, led community action organizations during the 2020 social justice uprisings, and has been an active community organizer. He was even arrested twice during the 2020 movement for black lives while organizing protests. That social justice work, which had Bobilin arguing with former-mayor de Blasio about policing on live radio, has found its way into the lyrics of the punk-infused new darkwave album he recorded in the first few weeks of 2023.

The new album Loverboy Molotov was made with much of Bobilin’s urgency and energy of his political campaigns in 2017, 2020, and 2022. Having firmly decided to leave politics behind, Bobilin was compelled to write about many of the frustrations that inspired his far-left politics. Songs like “Rising Tide” are inspired by the increase in oppressive policies and anti-LGBTQ legislation not unlike previous waves of fascism. On “Molotov,” Bobilin cuts directly to the points of exhaustion with contemporary political discourse by asking “What if we threw a white hot molotov into the precinct?” The album has literal moments, ending with the lyrics “There’s gotta be/ a better way/ to end this story/ there’s gotta be/ another way/ to end this story.” It also dabbles in gothic and religious symbolism covering Bauhaus’ classic “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” and making several references to sinners and saints.

MIDNIGHTCHOIR
Loverboy Molotov
Tracklist

01. St. Christopher
02. Bela Lugosi’s Dead
03. Molotov
04. Dark Youth
05. Personal Jesus
06. The Ghost
07. Need You Tonight
08. Into The Abyss
09. Lovecrimes
10. Rising Tide

Pre-order Loverboy Molotov by MIDNIGHTCHOIR HERE