Austin-based electro-pop group, MIDDLESPOON have returned today with “Crush On U“, the first single taken from their upcoming debut album, Brightside. The sun-drenched synth-driven track is the perfect bop to blast in the car with your windows down, or jam to on the beach this summer, serving as the perfect taste-test of what’s to come from the group. Telling the familiar tale of summertime infatuation, the song is accompanied by a vibrant and fun loving video.
MIDDLESPOON is the brainchild and passion project of lead vocalist Alexander Beatz, who has crafted a set of catchy, thoughtful pop songs with the swagger of hip-hop, the shimmer of electronic pop and the irresistible dance beat of disco with Brightside. The follow-up to their debut EP, HouseWife, Brightside finds the group back and better than ever. With “Crush On U” out today and more from Brightside coming soon, we caught up with MIDDLESPOON to discuss the new music, their growth since HouseWife and plans for the rest of 2022. Read more and watch the video now below.
Prelude Press: You are gearing up to release your debut full-length album this year! What are you most excited for fans to hear on the album?
MIDDLESPOON: We can’t wait for ppl to just press play and get lost. It’s really a pop music adventure and the album plays great from beginning to end. There’s a pop song on this record for everyone.
The album, Brightside arrives four years after the release of your debut EP, HouseWife. How do you feel you’ve grown as artists between then and now?
Considering the fact that Jinx (former producer and band mate) and I recorded the EP in our home studios, I’d say we’ve grown an insane amount. For me, the goal with Brightside was to make the most undeniable pop record in the highest quality I could. For example Brightside was produced in a professional studio by Lonely Child (Bryan Ray). Lonely Child was the first change that immensely leveled up MIDDLESPOON. We then had it mixed by the legendary Tony Hoffer who mixed and produced Becks “guero,” M83, Chromeo and other such groups. I will always love our EP but its kind’ve like comparing the first ever iPhone to the current model. First iPhone was awesome, no doubt but this new model…well it’s a serious upgrade 😂😂😂.
Are there any lessons you’ve learned in the years between these two releases that you were excited to apply to Brightside?
I’ve become overall a much better writer, singer and composer. I’ve learned so much. I’m glad to be doing what I love but It’s still a lot of work at the end of the day. I think one of the most helpful things I’ve learned is regardless of my mood I gotta show up and make magic happen. You really have to learn how to relinquish control in the creative space if you want greatness to happen. The whole process is really a lesson in letting go. It’s not easy but it’s very often freeing and the outcome is almost always that you have a better product.
With it being your debut full-length album, was there anything that you knew you wanted to accomplish with Brightside? What would you like for fans to take away from it?
It was unintentional but Brightside became a collection of a broad range of love songs. Each song on the record examines a type of love from Eros to Agape, Platonic to Familial. I think the meaning came after the making. The through line became more and more apparent when we got closer to completion. Brightside is the realization of unbridled optimism and positivity that lives in constant balance with its negative counterpart. One can’t exist without the other. With the Brightside comes the shade. It’s a conscious look at reality and all the magic there in without the misinformed fantasy. I want the fans to feel as if they’re being embraced by a good friend, family member or lover. That feeling of connectedness, understanding and compassion. The understanding that the world is fucked but life is still worth living to the best of our abilities in love and in joy.
You’re kicking off Brightside with the release of your new single, “Crush On U” today! Can you tell us a little bit about the song? What inspired it?
As soon as I heard the beat I knew it had to be a song about crushes and summertime. The writing process was really fun. My producer (Lonely Child) and I wrote it in an afternoon. We wanted the song to be relatable. The lyrical imagery is saturated in nostalgia and pop culture references. We wanted the listener to be transported directly into the world we created, a world comprable to their own fond memories of summer and falling in love.
The video is the perfect companion for the song, too! What was the highlight of filming?
The goal with the video was to follow the lyrics like a script. Nailing down the shot list with my director Jacob Weber made filming go really smoothly which was a huge plus. That being said the major highlights have got to be recreating a beach inside the soundstage and the Choreo. Really the whole thing was a blast and like every MIDDLESPOON production we work super hard but it’s always a party.
What was the most exciting or rewarding part of working on “Crush On U” or Brightside as a whole?
I’m very proud of what we were able to create. Crush is the pop song I’ve always wanted to write. There’s nothing I would change about the composition or lyrics. Everything fell into place perfectly. As for Brightside I think it’s a project the world could use right now. It’s understanding, compassionate and real. Even if it’s just by a smidge I feel like Brightside has the capacity to uplift the world.
When can fans expect to hear some more new music?
We will be releasing a new single every 6-8wks for the next 6 months to a year. So many great songs can’t wait to see how people react to them all.
Do you have any other big plans for 2022?
Perfecting the live show to make it arena ready. It’s going to be a super fun interactive show.
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
We’ve worked our asses off to bring the viewership a complete audio visual experience. Completely on our own dime. I’ve put everything I have into this project and if it wasn’t for my amazing team of artists and friends willing to to do more for less we wouldn’t be here. At this point it’s up to y’all as the fans hope y’all love it!
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