Nobody’s Home

Nobody’s Home reinvents ‘80s nostalgia with modern synth-pop sheen on its debut single “12:00 (Midnight),” which song was released on all digital platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines on August 17, 2020. The Filipino band’s members are songwriter Eon Buendia, drummer Moon Cairo Peralta and guitarist Justin Punzalan.

It was Buendia who wrote the lyrics and melodies of “12:00 (Midnight),” which plumbs greater heights with pulsating synth melodies and cinematic flourishes. The indie rock trio’s maiden song evokes the hallmarks of a generation that grew up on “Back To The Future and Dungeons and Dragons” while setting its sights on darker, more subdued production.

According to Buendia, the song revolves “around the idea of separation and someone comparing themselves, thinking they’re nothing but a burden on their partner who seems to be of importance.” Peralta, who co-wrote the song, explained that it is called “12:00 (Midnight)” because “midnight for us signifies that odd time between the day before and the next day to come.”

“The time where everything around you seems calm which gives way to the anxiety that comes crawling in,” Peralta continued. “It talks about starting may be right back where you started from or anew even if you have no idea it’s already started.”

“12:00 (Midnight)” started out as a gauzy instrumental piece produced by Peralta, who sent it to Buendia and Punzalan. He said he was “inspired by listening to a lot of the bands who used synths in the ’80s” and with writing the song in particular, he “wanted to incorporate synths that’ll establish the overall mood and groove of the production.”

Punzalan added guitar lines to the track. He said they were “placed in a way that it would complement instead of overpower not just the vocals but the track itself.”

The end result mirrors the three-piece collective’s thrilling retro-futurist experimentation while careful not to sacrifice the incredible pop sensibilities that define their signature sound.

“12:00 (Midnight)” is Nobody’s Home’s first single as an artist under Sony Music Philippines. Buendia said, “We feel that at this point in our lives, we should grab every opportunity for us to showcase our talent and message through a platform everyone is familiar with.”