Exclusive video premiere of ‘Molotov’ by MIDNIGHTCHOIR taken from the upcoming album, ‘Loverboy Molotov,’ out July 14th.

NYC electronic act MIDNIGHTCHOIR has confirmed the forthcoming release of their second album, ‘Loverboy Molotov,’ a follow-up to 2016’s ‘THE CROWN,’ to be released in July 2023. To introduce the record, the band shares a brand new single entitled ‘Molotov,’ alongside an accompanying music video (directed and edited by lead vocalist and songwriter Patrick Bobilin) and a B-Side, a cover of Bauhaus’ ‘Bela Lugosi’s Dead’.

On ‘Molotov,’ Bobilin wrote: “After seeing how the sausage is made running for office in New York City and being arrested during the 2020 racial justice protests, there’s no hope in my mind that we can change the system from within. ‘Molotov’ was written with the spirit of protest and frustration with the decades of empty promises made by leaders. I learned first-hand that the only thing that motivates elected officials, from judges to city council members to federal elected officials, is fear. Whether it’s fear of their stock prices going down, their campaign accounts drying up, or losing the next election, it’s the one thing that unites them all. With an eye on the lost art of “dangerous music,” I decided to write ‘Molotov’ from the perspective of the 99%. Maybe they need to fear us a little more than they do.”

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: the aforementioned Bauhaus cover, INXS’s ‘Need You Tonight,’ and ‘Personal Jesus’ by Depeche Mode.

MIDNIGHTCHOIR will be performing live as a two-piece lineup including Sarah Simon of dream pop act slagoona and will display digital visuals created by Bobilin.

New York-born and raised electronic producer 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.

While Bobilin may lean on 80’s new wave and goth influences, the autobiographical elements of the album reflect his experiences in politics and protest. The politics of the album are far left, with emotional, social, religious, and political concerns peppered throughout.

Headline photo: Johnathan Rojas

MIDNIGHTCHOIR Official Website / Instagram