The Midnight Purchase - Young/Naive (2025) [Hi-Res]

The Midnight Purchase’s new album Young/Naive is the perfect album for the spring season. The song, an anthem for youth and growing up, epitomizes the new beginnings accompanied by the beautiful time of year. The award-winning folk band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin features five talented musicians: Orlando Peña on vocals and guitar, Jake Stanzar as lead guitarist, Jake Williams on piano and vocals, Marshall Holm on bass and vocals, and Lee Gray on percussion. Each member brings a special element to the album, including the songwriting skills of Orlando Peña that make it a relatable and promising song for the season.

Young/Naive opens with the song “Too Proud” which captures the essence of the album. “Too Proud” begins with electrifying guitar strums, hard-hitting drums, and melodic strikes of the organ. The smooth vocals of Orlando Peña catch your ear and accentuate the harmony of the song. The lyrics speak of being “too proud” or the struggle between wanting to believe in dreams while not wanting to seem weak. The message of “Too Proud” speaks to anyone going through a phase in their life where their aspirations seem impossible, but they still go for it anyway. The song shows the insane vocal range of Orlando Peña, especially towards the end when he emphasizes being “too proud.”

“Chasing Straights” embodies the struggle of pursuing a dream, despite how hard it becomes. The vocals of Orlando Peña and the electrifying guitar skills of Jake Stanzar stand on in the song, making it exhilarating to listen to. The song expresses the struggle of getting older while chasing dreams and the hopelessness that may accompany it. However, the lyrics find beauty in the struggle and perseverance to continue in hopes for a breakthrough. The song seems like a continuation of the previous song “Too Proud” because instead of debating over chasing their dreams, they manifest them.

“Young & Naive” begins with entrancing and melodic guitar strums that immediately pull the listener in. The song includes a taste of indie rock that adds a unique touch to the song and shows the creativity of the band. The dynamic beats and guitar interludes keep the listener tuned in to the artistic style in the song. “Young & Naive” is one of my personal favorite songs on the album with its unique beat and relatable lyricism.

The album ends with the upbeat song “Santa Fe” that tells the story of a woman chasing her dreams of being a singer. The song expresses a new beginning and a clean slate for the woman after a rough patch. The song features the amazing piano skills of Jake Williams, catchy guitar interludes of Jake Stanzar and the solid percussion of Lee Gray. “Santa Fe” ends the album on a positive note, showing the struggle of youth but the beauty of maturing. The lyrics could easily resonate with anyone looking to start new and achieve their dreams despite their past. “Santa Fe” is a testament to new beginnings and the ability to still follow your aspirations despite your past.

Young/Naive perfectly captures the essence of the spring season and the new beginnings it brings. The album features the talents of The Midnight Purchase, and its unique blend of folk music mixed with indie rock. Young/Naive expresses the struggles of following a dream, but the beauty of following it through despite the difficulties. Each song shows a different struggle, a subsequent beauty that inspires its listeners to follow their aspirations. Young/Naive masterfully crafts the talents of each band member to create an inspiring body of music.