"Midsummer Madness" arrived at a time when Asian representation in American music was hitting a tipping point. By achieving massive streaming numbers and festival headline status (such as at their Head in the Clouds festival), 88rising used this track to prove that Asian artists didn't need to fit into a specific "Orientalist" box to succeed. They could simply make great, universal music about love, mistakes, and the summer sun. Conclusion
Moving away from the deep-voiced bravado of "Dat $tick," Brian offers a melodic, vulnerable verse that reflects his growth as a songwriter. "Midsummer Madness" arrived at a time when Asian
The Anthem of the "Asian Wave": Analyzing "Midsummer Madness" universal music about love