Rising singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Marshall Harner drops confessional album When the Night Was Just the Time When We Could Fall Asleep, a collection of 13 songs crafted on soothing instrumentals, emotive vocals and cathartic lyricism. Taking a journey through the past two years of the emerging act’s life, the project moves through intimate themes of romantic relationships, familial bonds and substance abuse wrapped within delicate, hypnotic soundscapes.
Opening with the minimalistic, piano-infused “In Too Deep,” the album immediately establishes the slow, vulnerable vibes it’s going for. Stirring elements of R&B and hip-hop together,When the Night Was Just the Time When We Could Fall Asleep is built on gentle beats layered over feathery touches of synths and guitars.
Harner’ssmooth, moody vocal lines forms the strong heart of the album as he moves from the haze of “Good Times,” to the soaring emotions of “Red Eyes.” Slow-build offering “Weather,” is the stand-out which gives away to the echoey, ethereal feels of another highlight “Nothing,” before the most anthemic track of the project in the form of “Like Hell.”
Things slow down towards the end of When the Night Was Just the Time When We Could Fall Asleep,the ambient beats of “Done,” fading into the bass-led “Fade,” before final track “ Show Me,” brings the attention back to Harner’s deep voice as the gentle instrumentals curtain around it in an unnoticeable yet impactful layer.
Having built a steady fanbase over the past two years, Harner showcases his improvement on the album which is founded on candid songwriting and catchy soundscapes rooted in the singer’s own personal experience and a relatable yearning for simpler times. The textured production places the promising talent at the top of his game, as he explodes into 2022 as an act to watch out for.
