My Midnight Heart Covers Mariah Carey’s “Can’t Let Go”: Idolator Song Premiere
You may know ethereal-soul singer My Midnight Heart from her attention-worthy 2013 debut EP Chest Of Hearts, or, perhaps, more recently the EPs Drown and Break, both of which were released this year, might have caught your attention. The project is the musical brainchild of songwriter Angélica Allen, who previously earned her stripes while touring around with Trans Siberian Orchestra.
Following her EP releases, My Midnight Heart has turned to Mariah Carey, one of her influences, for a special cover. “Can’t Let Go” was originally released in 1991 as the second single off Carey’s sophomore album, Emotions.
“Mariah is where I started, musically,” Allen explains to Idolator. “Her first two records were really the very first albums I ever listened to. I played them over and over again as a kid. I memorized all the words and every ad lib. I would tape her music from TV and obsess. I wanted to be Mariah.”
Allen’s rendition, which Idolator is premiering today, manages to stay faithful to the original, melodically, while also featuring a few modern flourishes, including layers of synths that form a wall of sound, and hypnotic, reverberating finger-snaps.
“As I got older and life got more complicated, I turned to Smashing Pumpkins, Bush, and Nine Inch Nails to feel that empathy with my angsty self and sort of left Mariah behind,” Allen continues. “Now as a fully-formed adult, I realize how much each musical phase of my life has influenced me — both dark and light moments. This is an homage to my childhood and the music that shaped me into the artist I am today. It’s Mimi and Trent, because I’ve become them both.”
Listen to My Midnight Heart’s unique cover of Mariah’s “Can’t Let Go” above, and let us know your thoughts on her version below!
Get an eyeful of even more pop music coverage, from artist interviews to exclusive performances, on Idolator’s YouTube channel.
