Richard Tyler Epperson Fragmented Night Album Review 

• Album Cover

When listening to a new album from an artist you enjoy, you want it to take you on a memorable adventure. That's what I seek when listening to one, anyway—like I'm about to embark on a journey that's noteworthy, that will cause my thoughts about it to linger for a while. Listening to an album in its entirety can often feel like reading a book; there's a story being told through not only the choices in lyrics, but also each decision made with instrumentation. A lot can be said about the modern music industry, and how folks don't listen to whole albums anymore—but there are still plenty of us out here who do just that.

SLC singer/songwriter Richard Tyler Epperson's new album Fragmented Night is an album as described above—something to be experienced in its entirety, especially because Epperson considers its contents to be some of the most personal tracks he's ever written.

This style of writing isn't new to Epperson; his catalog is full of heartfelt and deeply meaningful music where he has poured his heart out for all to hear. His 2023 release A Wandering Mind addressed topics like depression and difficult endings to relationships, but above all, the album was about hope. Fragmented Night, meanwhile, is an eclectic yet cohesive group of songs that combine intricate compositions, beautiful contributions from a crew of other musicians and, of course, Epperson's own signature earnest and evocative sound and writing style.

The album opens with one of the first singles released ahead of the album: "December Night." It'll immediately draw you in with its gentle piano notes that merge effortlessly with driving, electric guitar. "I want to leave but I can't go / Feeling froze like I've lost all control," Epperson sings. This song has a hauntingly beautiful quality with a hint of a chill to it, but the chill isn't negative; it's that the track is solemn, and the light piano notes in the background give a feeling of snow falling lightly in the background. This track offers relatability and vulnerability, diving into sentiments regarding the emotional weight of being caught between yearning and the fear of loneliness.

"I Love it When It's Cold" will easily pull in listeners who enjoy indie/pop/rock and dream pop sounds. The metaphorical chill in this track dives into the complex feelings of tension between inner warmth and mental paralysis. Many can relate to the struggle of having so much desire for something more, but never quite being able to get there because you're stuck where you are. At the same time, there's a comfort in staying in such a position because you're used to it, and there's no risk of failure if you continue to stay frozen. Even though this album is making its debut as we transition into summer, many understand not being able to escape the clutches of depression's icy grip.

It's hard to put those complex feelings and emotions into words, let alone into a cohesive song. Epperson does it so seamlessly here, singing "I love it when it's cold / But I hate it when I'm froze / My mind can't seem to figure out / What this life's supposed to be about."

As you get to the middle of the album, you'll come to "All My Life," originally a demo recorded by Epperson's father, but transformed into a fully-realized song years later. This heartfelt tribute blends Epperson's artistry with his father's legacy. Lyrically it dives deep into themes of regret, longing, introspection, reflecting the struggles of chasing dreams, facing fears and the passage of time. The use of heavier guitar here makes the lyrics more poignant and adds significantly to the emotional weight of the song. Most can relate to the feelings of loss and life's uncertainties, making "All My Life" a track you won't want to skip over.

It would be easy to go on for several hundred more words about Fragmented Night. It's full of some of the most relatable and difficult feelings out there. That's what Epperson is best at—taking these complex themes and turning them into bite-sized pieces of escapism that listeners can see themselves in as they listen.

While these topics can feel a bit heavy, you don't feel that weight when listening to Epperson's music. Yes, there are tough questions posed and sensitive subject matter raised, but you come out on the other end feeling more hopeful than before—even if that hope is just knowing that you're not the only one out there who feels this way.

Hopefully these ramblings about Fragmented Night make sense, but in summary: If you're looking for a highly introspective album that blends elements from different genres in a masterfully artistic way, this one is for you. Every album tells a story, and this is one that takes you on a journey of love and loss, pain and healing, and offers listeners a place of refuge in an ever-changing and crazy world.

Fragmented Night is a must-listen when it releases everywhere on May 22.