Photo byNicole Carnarius

(The long-lost ‘Listen Again’ series takes a second look at previously released platters.)

“Listen Again” is a review series in which we revisit releases that, for whatever reason, never received the attention or acclaim they might have deserved when they first hit the record bins. Whether it was because the album was ahead of its time, strayed from the artist’s expected style, was misunderstood, or just not properly promoted, the “Listen Again” series urges music fans to “listen again.” This time we revisit Joy Autumn’s 2018 disc titled “Midnight.”

Joy Autumn

Photo byNicole Carnarius

Autumn’s rockin’ resume features four other albums including her live 2016 debut disc “Sunny Lemonade”, 2016's seasonal CD “Merry Christmas”, her 2022 Nirvana tribute “Come As You Are: A Tribute To Nirvana in Olympia”, and the more recently released “Rainy Sunday” (reviewed here). She has written music for feature films, sold out shows at the popular Los Angeles venue the Hotel Cafe, and is presently working out of Olympia, Washington.

Signature sound

Autumn’s signature sound is an atmospheric amalgam of alternative, folk, and pop music. Her music is inspired by her life experiences, environment, and modern times.

“Midnight”

This EP features six songs. All the songs are her own original compositions. Here Autumn leads the way on piano, synth, and vocals. She is backed by Leah Zeger on violin and co-producer Bill Lefler on drums, synths, and programming.

Track by Track

The album opens with the single “Searching For You.” It’s a quiet lead-in but that’s what makes it so lovely. The actual story, of course, is anything but lovely. It’s a torrid tale about the search for fame and fortune in Tinseltown. It’s about looking for love in all the wrong places, as they say, and musically making her hunt for home both personal and yet nigh-universal.

The second selection is “Go.” Here Autumn shares her struggles with emotionally wanting a relationship that you know is not right for both of you. In essence, she reflects on how difficult it is to stop seeing someone you love when they do not really love you.

The next number is the more musically upbeat tune titled “The Ghost.” This eclectic offering may be perfect for any unique Halloween soundtrack but beneath the haunting, almost ethereal vocals is the evidence of an all too common experience of what happens when one refuses to live with being ghosted. You can often hear the life lessons learned within her songs.

“Here And There” follows. It is the perfect foil to the previous piece in that this cozy cut concerns being with a lover who might be too good to be true and reveals the impact and influence of one type of relationship upon another and how they both can potentially change you.

Also included here is the almost parenthetically-place “Searching For You (Acoustic).” Both versions are beautifully significant and soul-bearing and indicative of Autumn’s coming to grips with her imperfect past.

The closing cut is “Brave.” Perhaps this anthemic piece was picked as the album end note because it’s positive, persevering, and powerful. It’s an emotive, apt album endnote about living life to the fullest and running down a dream while you still can.

Listen again

“Midnight” is an atmospheric and emotive album which earned Autumn a place on the 2019 first-round Grammy ballot. With a running time of just over 24 minutes, the album delves into themes of lost love, empowerment, perseverance, and the struggle for success. What sets Autumn apart is her intimate expression of these experiences, making them personal, palpable, and undoubtedly cathartic.

Autumn’s vocals convey both inner strength and vulnerability, capturing each remembered moment. Her lyrics tell tuneful tales, transforming past pain into empowerment. As listeners, we’re reminded that only with an open heart can we truly achieve anything. If you’ve never heard Joy Autumn’s “Midnight”, listen to it; and if you've already listened to it once...listen again.