Midnight Train is the fifth studio album by Kenyan Afropop band Sauti Sol. It was released by Universal Music Africa on June 5, 2020. Recorded in English, Swahili, and Luhya, the album comprises 13 tracks and is the band's first project released under the label. Sauti Sol dedicated the album to their fans and described it as a collaborative project with songwriters and producers. Midnight Train features collaborations with artists such as India Arie, Soweto Gospel Choir, Sho Madjozi, and Black Motion, among others. It explores themes of sobriety, personal insecurities, love, and hope. The album was supported by the previously released singles "Suzanna", "Disco Matanga (Yambakhana)", "Brighter Days", and "Insecure". Midnight Train received positive reviews from music critics, who commended Sauti Sol for pushing the envelope and connecting with their audience.
Background and recording
In January 2020, Sauti Sol announced on Twitter they had signed a record deal with Universal Music Africa, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. They also stated they were gearing up to release Midnight Train. In an interview with OkayAfrica, Chimano said their record deal with Universal took a long time because they were looking for a tailor-made deal and not just the normal artist contract. Midnight Train comprises 13 tracks and features collaborations with India Arie, Soweto Gospel Choir, Sho Madjozi, Black Motion, Mortimer, Bensoul, Nviiri the Storyteller, Okello Max, Xeniah Manasseh, and Nairobi Horns Project. The album was initially scheduled for release in March, but its release date was pushed back three times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Otieno told OkayAfrica their personal experiences and what they go through as men and husbands inspired the album's music. He also said the songs on the album are relatable and have deeper messages. Chimano characterized the album as a collaborative project with songwriters and producers and said it encompasses the best of them. Moreover, the band dedicated the entire project to their fans who have stuck with them. On the album's cover art, Sauti Sol embraced innovative fashion and style.
Midnight Train was recorded between Los Angeles, Johannesburg, and Nairobi. In an interview with the website Music in Africa, Chimano said that nearly half of the album's songs were written three years prior and were recorded for a different project. He also said they recorded 20 songs for the album but chose to use only 13. The India Arie-assisted track "My Everything" was recorded in January, during the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards period. Chimano revealed they met Arie at an airport in Atlanta prior to recording the song with her and that she has always been one of their biggest musical inspirations. The album's title track "Midnight Train" was recorded in two versions. The first version, an Afrobeats-inspired track, was released on Apple Music and Spotify; the second version was made available at some point in 2020.
Promotion
On August 22, 2020, Sauti Sol launched a virtual concert to promote the album. Called the Midnight Train Virtual Experience, the concert was livestreamed to over 95,000 viewers across various social media platforms. It became the most-viewed YouTube premiere by a local Kenyan artist, breaking the record previously held by Nyashinski's virtual album launch in May. The concert featured additional performances from Bensoul, Nviiri the Storyteller, Okello Max, Lisah Oduor-Noah, and Xeniah Manasseh. Prior to launching the concert, Sauti Sol announced a series of interactive activities, including Sol Family, a reality television show that highlights their family life and music-making process. Additionally, the band created personalized acoustic versions of well-known album singles and shared their individual life stories on the Engage Talks Series platform.
Music and lyrics
Recorded in English, Swahili, and Luhya, Midnight Train explores themes of sobriety, personal insecurities, love, and hope. Its lyrics deal with enjoying life's journey and accepting its challenges and trials. The album's title track "Midnight Train" was produced by Andre Harris; it is a mid-tempo record that samples Toto's 1982 hit "Africa". Reviewing for Chalked Up Reviews, Brice Boorman commended the song for "having a flow and sound that is varied and energetic". The melodic track "Insecure" is composed of rhythmic guitar strums; the song advises listeners to confront their insecurities head-on rather than try to hide them. The romantic song "Feel My Love" portrays a relationship that is characterized by love despite the couple's ongoing arguments and miscommunications.