Drawing us in with an intricate guitar soundscape featuring arpeggios and astral tones with ethereal, choral vocalizations, Midnite opens Home with dimensionality and warmth as we experience the lyrics, “I’m just lying here, shadows creep in slow, thoughts are flying here, where do they go?”

We immediately connect with the introspective nature of the composition and the high emotional quotient that manifests. Midnite has created an atmospheric record that feels intimate and intentional. There is a beautiful contrast between the dreamlike guitar textures and the more energetic pop-hip-hop foundations underneath.

The core message of Home taps into notions of belonging and finding something grounding amidst the chaos of everyday life. This feels super zeitgeist and relatable, at a time when we need it the most.

There is no doubt that Home holds a cinematic allure. We could imagine the track landing a sync placement in an emotional episode of Euphoria, or The Day of the Jackal. It would also fit well in a film like Voicemails from Isabelle, Our Fault, or The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Midnite‘s luscious, almost gospel-like vocals are the centrepiece of the entire composition, but USA-based rapper Donja‘s sharp rhythmic flow introduces a contrasting energy but cements the overarching narrative and storytelling. The collaboration feels cohesive.

We appreciate the fact that Midnite crafted every element of the track before bringing in Donja‘s skillset. As a singer, songwriter, rapper, producer and multi-instrumentalist, he demonstrates a remarkable degree of creative versatility.

Midnite’s own journey adds further resonance to the track. Born and raised in Portishead, Bristol, he grew up surrounded by rhythm and soul before teaching himself guitar at sixteen. His influences stretch from The Roots to Etta James, and he has already earned support from BBC 1Xtra, BBC Introducing and BBC Radio London.

Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added Home to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Midnite, including Without You, and No Matter.

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Drawing us in with a cinematic guitar soundscape featuring cerebral notions, motko opens old with cinematic allure and thought-provoking, introspective prose. The opus expands with drama and textured drums to take us on a dark-wave-meet-alternative-rock journey.

We appreciate the metaphorical depth of the prose and the poetic prowess that motko delivers. Fans of The Smashing Pumpkins and Placebo will absolutely be able to connect with what motko is delivering. He also cites QOTSA, Failure, Nirvana, Radiohead, Tigercub, and Elbow as sonic influences.

The existential concepts are visceral and relatable, and the artist tells us, “old is about the fear of growing old mentally – not in years, but quietly calcifying: bitter, closed off, certain.” It’s actually highly zeitgeist and a reflection of what happens to a lot of people when they age. It’s a poignant reminder for us to hold on to the mindset and voice of our inner child.

motko shares that old started as a song that unsettled him before he fully understood why. It intentionally explores his biggest fear, and rather than avoiding that, he confronts it, creating a slow, heavy reflection on the feeling of “a massive stone grown around my heart.”

We learn that motko is the solo project of Shorty. He is a musician who spent years playing in bands like Millhouse, Symbiosis, and IONS before launching a solo career. Today also marks the announcement of his cinematic nine-track album, home, set for release soon, which he describes “moves slowly and on purpose”. We could definitely imagine old being featured in a film like The Father, Relic, or The Substance. He also describes the record as “movies for your ears”.

Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added old to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we await the entirety of motko‘s album, home. old is also available on Bandcamp.

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Opt for Earthy Colors

It’s important to know that having a zen-inspired design is truly all about having natural colors. You need to try and opt for softer tones where possible, such as grey, white, beige or even mocha. If you can do this, then you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to evoke a sense of relaxation, and this can help you to feel more at peace when you step in your front door. If possible, you need to try and choose a dominant color, so that you can then combine it with other matching objects and textiles. This could include white, paired with a rosewood theme for example. If you want to create a good level of diversity, then try and combine matching colors or play around with different shades of the same color. Either way, if you can focus on things like this, then you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to create the look that you are going for.

Focus on Softness

If you want to focus on softness, then you should know that parquet flooring is an excellent choice. Wooden flooring is also very desirable. If possible, you need to try and go for white or grey theming here. Natural parquet is very refined but if you want something with a bit more personality then colored parquet could be a good option. You just need to make sure that it matches in with the rest of the room if possible. Resin floors are ideal if you have a loft or if you want to make your home feel a little more unique. Wool carpets are ideal if you want to evoke a strong sense of comfort but at the same time, you have to remember that they do require higher maintenance. If you opt for a carpet, then you may be able to reinforce the comforting sense of the room by opting for thin cotton rugs. Again, if you pay attention to the color of the carpet, then this will help you out a lot here. It should match in with your theme, and it should be within the zen range of colors, as mentioned above.

Natural Fabric

When choosing fabric for your home, you have to make sure that it sticks with the same rule of being natural, light and most of all, comfortable. One of the most essential elements that accompany zen décor would be the curtains. Curtains help to give you a real sense of intimacy and they also help to reduce noise. If you have a lot of draughts in your home, then heavy curtains can stop this from affecting the warmth of your home too much. If you aren’t sure which curtains you should be buying then try and opt for wool, or linen where possible. You then need to try and match them in with the rest of the room. If you want to create something with a bit more ambience or if you want something more elaborate, then if possible, you need to try and opt for blinds as this will give you the chance to modulate the light so that you can create a different atmosphere. Pay special attention to the fixation system too. It would be a real shame for you to put up stunning curtains and for you to opt for a rod that doesn’t match.

Play Around with Light

The entryway is another place where natural light and clean lines can work together. When planning an exterior update, front doors with sidelights can suit a calm, open-looking entrance by pairing the main door with glazed side panels. Keeping the surrounding finishes simple helps the feature feel integrated rather than overly decorative.

If you want your space to feel truly relaxing, then ideally you need to replace the fluorescent lighting that you have with one that is more inspired by nature. You need to put different sources of light around the room. You can choose to have a floor lamp and then a lamp set for indirect light, or you can opt for a wall-mounted reading light. Things like this can help you to control the light in the room and it also gives you the chance to make the lighting more diffused as well which is a really good thing.

While lamps help in the evening, maximizing natural daytime light is just as important for a calm home. Installing roof windows or skylights can bring a lot of sun into dark rooms. If you want to make your home brighter, you can find quality options at addlite.co.uk to help with your project. These installations let you rely less on artificial bulbs during the day. This simple change makes your living spaces feel much larger and more peaceful.

Simple Furniture

If you want your furniture to be zen-style, then you need to focus on simple and clear lines. Do not opt for anything that is complex in detail and also try and avoid anything with excess ornamentation. If you do not know where to start, then check out this Brosa Lewes Desk as an example. Your furniture has to be high in quality and it should also be made out of natural materials where possible. If you can ensure that this is the case, then this will give you a strong sense of warmth as well as helping your space to look and feel more relaxed. If you look at your storage pieces, such as your drawers, cupboards, and closets, then you should know that you can bring these to life if you paint them in colors that match the interior. The bedroom is usually the heart of a zen home, so take the time to make sure that you are focusing on this where possible.

This room is your personal sanctuary, so the items you choose should promote rest. Selecting the right bedroom furniture is a major part of this process. You want to look for pieces that have clean lines and natural wood finishes. Avoid heavy, dark wardrobes or cluttered shelving units that make the space feel cramped. Instead, choose simple nightstands and a sturdy bed frame that keep the room feeling open and airy. Finding these minimalist items does not have to be difficult or expensive. Many people find that local showrooms have a better selection of simple wooden frames and low-profile dressers than online stores. If you live in North Carolina, visiting a store like Galleria Furniture is a good way to see these pieces in person before you buy. This helps you check the quality of the wood and the actual size of the items. You can then choose pieces that fit your bedroom layout perfectly.

Bedroom Furniture Placement

Put your bed close to a source of natural light if possible. you need to avoid placing it right in front of a door or in front of a passage area. Ideally, you have to make sure that the height of the bed is one that you feel comfortable with. Higher beds are usually better at helping you to heighten the sense of comfort that you have. If you want to take things to that next level, try and opt for a headrest that is made out of upholstery, vegan leather or patchwork. If you have a lot of decorations on the bed, then this needs to change. You should only be using décor that is made out of fleece, mohair or wool if possible. cushions are not usually required unless you are going to use them. Instead, try and have a lot of different-sized pillows and different cases so that you can arrange them according to whether you are reading or whether you are sleeping.

Nightstands are a very useful piece of décor but again, you have to make sure that you integrate them into the design. If you want a reading nook, then choose a very simple armchair and pay special attention to the lines of the furniture too. Plants are ideal as they have a calming effect. Green is a very good color when it comes to encouraging that zen feel, but avoid anything that needs a great deal of maintenance as this will only add to the amount of work that you need to do to maintain your space. Opt for plants that are easy to care for, such as bonsai trees. This is the best way for you to make your space look fantastic so keep that in mind if you want to make a change today.

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