Romy
Mid Air
YOUNG
When Romy dropped “Lifetime,” her debut single as a solo artist, back in 2020, it signified the dawn of a new era for an artist who’d previously only been known as one third of The xx. The group had become familiar for their pop-influenced dance music occasionally revealing their roots in post-punk. With bandmate Jamie xx launching a solo career over a decade ago, and Oliver Sims following suit with last year’s Hideous Bastard, it’s about time Romy made a full-length statement of her own, too.
With Mid Air, we get a much more personal statement than what The xx’s ambiguity could have ever offered Romy. Inspired by experiences finding self-acceptance and connection in London’s queer clubbing culture, there’s a clear sense of euphoria that makes this debut an expression of boundless joy. Getting to know herself outside of The xx, the influences of pop artists such as Robyn shine through on songs like the Fred Again..–featuring “Strong,” where you can feel a palpable rush of blood as Romy manages to capture the heart-stopping moments where you realize that you’re deeply infatuated with someone. Elsewhere, “Twice” brings to life the story of Romy and her partner, who rekindled their past love after subsequent relationships broke down around the same time. “Years of trying to get you off my brain, never knowing you felt the same way,” she sings in knowing acknowledgment.
One of the main takeaways from the album is the way positivity is embedded into the very core of it. There’s discussion of the struggles of finding your sense of place in the world and the pain of seeing someone you love struggle, yet there’s never a downbeat that isn’t met with a rousing moment that can lift you from the deepest slump. The lyricism is often straightforward, bringing all the feelings straight to the fore. Which is what helps deliver that sense of joy—Romy is no longer here to hide her feelings, and instead authentically displays love, excitement, and intimacy. This is best encapsulated in “Enjoy Your Life,” which is initially racked by anxiety before laying down its title’s simple mantra. It may seem like obvious advice, but here, wrapped up in a danceable fusion of piano keys and synths that evoke a mist of neon-soaked strobe lights, you may just drop any burdens you were needlessly carrying.
Away from the dance-pop moments, there are tracks such as “The Sea” and closer “She’s on My Mind” which instantly evoke the Balearic Islands. With this album being released at the end of the summer, it feels cruel that these tracks will instantly take you back to poolside lounging. One of the strongest moments comes in the shape of opener “Loveher,” a freeing declaration of connection which manages to capture a beautiful equilibrium of anthemic and intimate, partly due to Romy’s whispered, almost conversational vocals completely enraptured with the song’s subject. There’s a light element of trance throughout that builds into a chorus that’s memorably liberating.
Mid Air is Romy’s moment in the spotlight. It’s a statement long in the making that delves further into the identity of the London-based artist, where everything that’s made her who she is today, everything that’s given her joy, is poured into an album that will ultimately be providing endless moments of dancefloor catharsis for years to come.
