Producer, songwriter and musician Tonight Only unveils is debut full-length album, The Mixtapes, Vol. 1 (Arcade Social).
By Graeme Smith
Tonight Only is the project of Jackson, Tennessee, USA-based artist Joseph Kyle. His music is inspired by anime theme tunes of the ilk you’d hear on Full Metal Alchemist or Naruto as much as the mainstream pop of Taylor Swift or Bruno Mars.
His new mixtape transports us to the arcade, revelling in the nostalgia of days that were full of love and leisure within a wrapper of indie rock.
It opens with ambient vignette Press Start which sets the scene before Barriers, featuring Abby Moffet, immediately brings the energy with its vibrant indie pop. The tempo canters along, bringing with it guitar riffs, lively percussion and plenty of emotion in its vocals.
Collaborations is a theme of this album. The edgy Honestly sees Joseph team up with James Reed while Casino Queen features Phoebe Scott and Dakota Jackson. It proves an early highlight thanks to its catchy melody and sense of bombast. Playlist rounds off the early listening with support from Trey Brown and Conner Blakley and a groovy tale of heartache.
Brief interlude Pause/Play lets us catch our breath before we enter the album’s second half. Further contributions come from Hunter Cupples, JamirOTB, Janiah Kyle, BAY, and Brooke Cagle, as well a return from James Reed for the album’s slow-burning emotional climax, Here’s to You Kid (Michigan).
High Score is a beautifully serene and soulful moment that adds some texture to proceedings while “It’s Dangerous to Go Alone…” (A Prophecy) gives us some spoken word experimentation. Game Over ends the story in atmospheric fashion thanks to its delicate and immersive style.
As the shorter days of autumn draw in, we’re all going to be in need of an uplifting bump. Tonight Only’s debut album is just that. It’s rich with energy and emotion that is positively rousing.
Arcade Social is out now and you can give it a listen below.