Sydney pop-punk trio Forever At Midnight bursts onto the scene with their debut single, Meant To Be, a track that nails the angst and excitement of falling for a friend who doesn’t feel the same. Comprised of Liv Howlett on vocals, Evan Hughes on drums, and Josh Kim on guitars and programming, the band channels their mutual love of punk and emo music into a high-energy anthem that’s as relatable as it is catchy.
Meant To Be instantly grabs attention with its infectious riffs, punchy drums, and power chords that are quintessential to the pop-punk genre. The influence of bands like Paramore, Fall Out Boy, and Hot Milk is evident, yet Forever At Midnight manages to inject their own fresh energy into the mix. Guitarist Josh Kim laid the foundation for the song, inspired by the natural gravitation towards the catchy melodies and angsty vibes that define pop-punk. As he puts it, “Pop-punk and emo just hit differently, especially when you want to arrogantly whine about something extremely trivial. It’s okay to be a little pathetic sometimes.”
Vocalist Liv Howlett takes this foundation and elevates it with a narrative of unrequited love that feels straight out of a classic Y2K rom-com. Her lyrics are dripping with the kind of teenage longing and desperation that anyone who’s ever pined for a friend will recognize. Liv explains, “When I heard the track that the boys had written, I closed my eyes, and I could just see the credits rolling after an epic Y2K film where the guy finally notices the girl who’s crazy about him, and who’s been there all along right beside him.”
Meant To Be is more than just a nostalgic trip down memory lane—it’s a feel-good anthem for anyone who’s ever been in their feelings over unrequited love. With its cheeky, yet heartfelt lyrics and a sound that’s both fresh and familiar, Forever At Midnight has crafted a debut single that’s sure to resonate with fans of pop-punk and beyond. This is just the beginning for the band, and if Meant To Be is any indication, they’re poised to make a big splash in the scene
