Richard Tyler Epperson’s newest work, "Fragmented Night," is a beautiful, harrowing story through the shades of loss and the rays of hope, and the twisting highways that lie in between. Mixing the introspective soul of folk with the immediacy of indie rock and the pop-driven gloss of alt-pop, this 10-song triplet represents a new high for the Salt Lake City singer-songwriter. At 34 minutes, "Fragmented Night" is brief enough to consume in one sitting but lush enough to withstand countless more spins. Every song is like a Polaroid shards of memory, of feeling, that have been stitched together into a bigger picture about what happens when life doesn’t go as hoped, and what happens when you pick up the pieces.
The album quietly explodes out of the gate, bringing listeners in with Epperson’s trademark melodic honesty and lyrical vulnerability. But the show-stopping single “Let’s Drive” solidifies the album as a soundtrack for the soul. With a singsong chorus that’s impossible to resist and instrumentation that’s cinematic, the song is like a late-night joy ride on an open highway, windows down, hearts open completely, in search of something that’s just out of reach. It’s the quintessential road trip anthem coated in longing and liberation. Another emotional anchor is “All My Life.” With its wailing vocals and low-burning production, it’s about the ache of desire and the quiet strength in pushing through. Epperson wrangles those peaks and valleys in a hauntingly beautiful manner, never pushing either to an extent where one becomes overplayed, but just enough for them to start opening up in the listener’s chest.
The appealing aspect of "FRAGMENTED NIGHT" is that it is absolutely subtle. Epperson never rushes a moment. Instead, he gives the songwriting room to breathe, and the lyrics and chord progressions that comprise this album unwind at their own pace. From its stripped-back acoustic moments to its lush, dreamy crescendos, the production is intimate but massive, pulling you in with every listen.
This album welcomes you to inhabit them. If you’re processing your brand of heartache, seeking a little silver lining, or just hungry for a deeply personal and universally relatable record, "Fragmented Night" has something for you. With Fragmented Night, Richard Tyler Epperson continues to stand among the ranks of indie’s most sincere storytellers, evidence that amid busted shards, there is beauty even in life's darkest moments.
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