When Matt Messore isn’t crafting bedroom-scale dream pop tracks with his band Cathedral Bells, the Orlando-reared musician is diving fully into the dark and synthy world of ’80s post-punk with his solo outlet Midi Memory. Although it’s not too far off from what he accomplishes with his band, the side project proved with last year’s debut album Sensory Overload that its mission—true to that album title—is based more in replicating a bygone sensual aesthetic than integrating that aesthetic into something a little more modern.
Messore continues that mission on “Infinite Design,” his second single since the release of that project, singing of “a familiar time” as ambient synths, snapping drum machines, and echoing guitar tones similarly recreate a recognizable era. “This track has a simple formula to it and because of that, it all came together so quickly to demo,” he shares. “Aside from its musical simplicity, the song is about giving in to all my worries and doubts, holding onto the love of my life in the moment.”
The single arrives with a lyric video that doubles down on that strong aesthetic between its ’80s-news-broadcast title cards and interspersed footage that looks like it was pulled from that period. The full effect is one of visceral nostalgia, even for those of us who were born post-1989. “I’ve hit all the avenues I wanted to reach with this track,” he adds. “I’m hoping that it’ll resonate the same to others as it has done for me.”
Watch the clip below.
