B-Side Guys

Six years of silence can change a musical partnership, but some collaborations possess an innate chemistry that transcends time. The Midnight Stroll’s “It Ain’t Worth A Dream” emerges from such a reunion, with Aaron Behrens and Jonas Wilson rekindling their creative flame through a potent blend of shoegaze distortion and vintage rock energy.

The track serves as the third single from their upcoming EP “Humans Scheme and Headphones Dream,” and it’s immediately apparent that the half-decade hiatus hasn’t dulled their edge. Behrens, known for his work with Ghostland Observatory, brings his distinctive high-register vocals to the forefront, delivering a performance that manages to feel both nostalgic and urgently contemporary. His vocal acrobatics soar above the instrumentation with a theatrical flair that indeed channels Freddie Mercury while maintaining its own character.

Wilson’s guitar work forms the backbone of the track, laying down thick layers of shoegaze distortion that pay homage to the 90s while avoiding mere imitation. His production background with acts like The Black Angels and Urban Heat shines through in the careful balance between raw energy and polished soundcraft. The guitar bed he creates serves both as foundation and counterpoint to Behrens’ vocals, with Ramones-style hooks cutting through the wall of sound with precise intent.

The rhythm section, anchored by drummer Davy Hamrick, provides a solid foundation that allows the track’s more experimental elements room to breathe. The production wisely keeps the drums prominent in the mix, letting the physical impact of the performance drive the song forward while the guitars and vocals weave their respective spells above.

Thematically, the song takes an ambitious swing, exploring the disillusionment of an immigrant worker confronting the gap between American dreams and American reality. This narrative adds weight to the sonic nostalgia, transforming what could have been a simple exercise in style into something more substantive. The contrast between the soaring choruses and the grounded subject matter creates an effective tension that serves the story well.

The track’s structure cleverly plays with expectations, using its 90s rock framework to support rather than constrain the songwriting. The interplay between Behrens’ voice and Wilson’s guitar work creates moments of both conflict and harmony, mirroring the song’s thematic exploration of dreams versus reality. The production captures these dynamics with clarity while maintaining the raw energy essential to the genre.

As a continuation of the sound established in their earlier 2024 singles “You Can Escape” and “This Town,” this track suggests an EP that will build on their established chemistry while pushing into new territory. The mix of shoegaze textures with punk energy and theatrical vocals creates a signature sound that sets them apart from both their contemporaries and their influences.

Wilson’s production choices deserve special attention, as they manage to honor multiple genres – from shoegaze to punk to classic rock – while creating something cohesive and distinctive. The guitar tones are particularly well-crafted, providing a thick cushion of sound that never becomes muddy or overwhelming.

“It Ain’t Worth A Dream” stands as a testament to the enduring strength of Behrens and Wilson’s creative partnership. Their return from hiatus demonstrates not just a preservation of their earlier chemistry but an evolution of their sound, suggesting that The Midnight Stroll’s upcoming EP will be worth the six-year wait. The track’s ambitious blend of styles and themes proves that sometimes the best dreams are the ones that emerge from reality’s hard edges.