Now you’re just a memory I survived.
Nyx Division emerged in Portland’s post-punk underground amid the upheaval of pandemic isolation and global unrest, transforming their anxieties into ecstatic bursts of shadowy euphoria. Through their music, they plunge headlong into earnest, goth-infused rock ‘n’ roll, conjuring irresistible dancefloor anthems that brazenly shrug off pessimism. Ignited by contagious riffs and spirited melodies, their music flips society’s dreariness into confident celebration, lighting a path from gloom to glittering resilience.
Three years in the wilderness, a fresh face behind the frets, and Nyx Division (Domino Monet, Alex Rivas, Justin Cory, Mason Wilkinson) have renewed themselves with the announcement of their full-length debut album Midnight Lights, a record brimming with the kind of passion that’ll get your feet moving and heart racing. The addition of guitarist Justin Cory breathes new electricity into the band’s bloodstream, weaving seamless leads and unshakable hooks around a rhythm section built for the dance floor. Cory’s riffs flash and slice with Thin Lizzy-style heroics while the grooves tumble forward with post-punk precision, daring listeners not to shimmy along.
Channeling shades of Killing Joke’s looming thunder, Bjork’s otherworldly passion, and the ethereal warmth of Cocteau Twins, Nyx Division sidesteps genre borders with carefree abandon. Dark disco beats mingle effortlessly with glammed-out rock theatrics, showcasing an exuberance reminiscent of late-night radio from a lost golden age. Their ambitions are broad; their eyes fixed firmly ahead.
Lead single from the forthcoming album “Soldier of Love” radiates positivity from the first crashing drumbeat. With a heart-on-sleeve clarity, the track celebrates endurance amidst turmoil, rallying listeners toward resilience even when the cards seem stacked. Weighty themes: identity lost, violence survived, and emotional trials, are handled deftly, uplifted by soaring vocals that reach boldly upward. It’s the kind of song that transforms sorrow into celebration, adversity into affirmation.
Lyrically, Nyx Division champions a spirit of unshakeable optimism, armored by a love that remains undefeated despite repeated bruises. They meet heartache head-on, seemingly fearless in their stance, warriors guided by hope rather than bitterness, confident in love’s eventual redemption. It’s a life-affirming approach, backed by melodies bright enough to chase away even the deepest gloom.
“Soldier of Love is a sonic journey through survivor-hood,” says Monet. “Playful and colorful in its aesthetic, (it) explores themes of loss of self, domestic violence, and trauma, and most importantly, how to keep your heart alive in the face of it all.”
Opening with a restless bride stranded by silence, Olivia Bayer’s lush video guides viewers from heartbreak to liberation with stylish grace. Blending performance and dreamy storytelling, the clip charts a journey along an unexpected path toward strength and self-discovery. Our heroine leaves expectations behind, embracing independence on an empowering detour. Bayer’s vision balances playful visuals and thoughtful symbolism beautifully, crafting imagery that nudges gently toward spiritual awakening. Ultimately, this sleek, cinematic treat turns abandonment into opportunity: an invitation to escape disappointment, follow intuition, and chase your own radiant truth beneath glittering fantasy skies.
Watch the video for “Soldier of Love” below:
Midnight Lights announces itself with a confident flair, confirming Nyx Division as rejuvenated adventurers ready to soundtrack your nighttime escapades. Get your dancing shoes polished; this album insists on keeping you company through the late-night hours, sparkling beneath the disco ball glow, soundtracking a triumphant return to form.
Pre-order the record from Black Water Records in the US here and on limited edition European vinyl from Agipunk Records here. Pre-order the album on cassette and CD here.
The band is also producing a zine of essays by Moyet about each song, sharing visceral stories from domestic violence survivors, a subject close to the heart of Nyx Division. The following passage is an excerpt from Soldier of Love.
“I was reliant on him for rides. He would drive recklessly—swerving, speeding, screaming at other drivers, screaming at me. I cried in the car a lot. He would taunt me, saying things like, “Oh, you’re scared??? Why don’t you trust me? I know what I’m doing,” then speed up, get more reckless, laughing the whole time. I was convinced he wanted to kill me more than a few times. He definitely could have. It’s not that bad.
I didn’t know if I was allowed to call it “domestic violence.” He never left me with any bruises, although I don’t bruise easily. It’s hard to leave a mark on me. He didn’t threaten to kill me, or light me on fire, or break any of my bones. Every day I woke up feeling as though I deserved to be punished—that I was a bad person, a bad partner, that I was crazy, that I was beyond repair. I was lucky to have anyone in my life willing to love me. And because I arrived at the table starving, when I was presented with crumbs I bowed down and said, “Thank you.”
Listen to Soldier of Love below:
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