Fragmented Night is an enveloping new album from Richard Tyler Epperson. The Salt Lake City-based artist pairs hard-hitting emotions with hooky immediacy throughout, from the anthemic rousing of “Like Everything Else” to the affecting soul-searching within “All My Life,” which he originally recorded as a demo with his father, who passed away recently. The album is an inviting listening experience that deftly balances personal reflection with accessibly melodic rock productions.
“December Night” opens the album with a grandiose allure, quickly moving from prancing piano twinkling into rousing guitar-led theatrics. Vocal conveyances of “this feeling haunting me,” amidst a relationship strife with complexity — wherein one is the equivalent of “poison,” despite being the only emotional antidote — stirs into ardent drive to leave and move on. Moments of compelling introspection shift back and forth seamlessly with the fervent rock expanses, wholly exemplary of Epperson’s tendency for structurally gripping escalations — an aspect evident throughout the excellent Fragmented Night.
The ensuing “I Love It When It’s Cold” continues the enthralling introspection. Epperson’s vocals aspire to “figure it out,” — shifting into a dreamy title-touting admission as aptly chilly keys surround. A magnetic final minute, with pleading vocals and glistening guitar lines, solidifies the track’s replay-inducing appeal. “Like Everything Else” is another highlight, melding scorching guitar work and anthemic vocal soaring into an engaging “in my mind,” bridge. The soulful “She Don’t Care” is also a charmer, revealing a sophisti-pop infectiousness alongside sentiments of “she’s playing me I know, but I can’t let her go.” Fragmented Night is a consistent display of quality songwriting from Richard Tyler Epperson.
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We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
