Cathartic Fall’s self-titled project is raw, honest and one to take your time with.
The latest project from Cathartic Fall, ‘Cathartic Fall’, is one to really take your time with. This album is haunting, deep, revelatory, and you will find yourself noticing new things with each listen. The central image of this record is water, and the music thematically addresses everything we tend to associate with that: death, drowning, baptism, and depth.
The opening track ‘Before The Fall’ is a moving instrumental number introducing the artist’s strengths and signature style: classic, dramatic music that evokes a thoughtful, reflective mood. A thematic highlight was ‘Breathe’, where the songwriting ste is clearest, featuring the line ‘just be in your body, just see through your eyes. Cathartic Fall is all about guiding the listener through the anatomy of falling, even when the singer is falling with you.
There is certainly an Adele-inspired essence throughout this project, as well as moments that reminded me of Billie Eilish’s simple but beautiful melodies and songwriting. ‘Where the Wind Blows’ evokes the catchier, more upbeat end of this spectrum, while ‘Ocean’ is a ballad following through with the water visuals to discuss the theme of acceptance and moving on. ‘I’m letting go out on the ocean' is the hook, and certainly a highlight.
‘Become Beautiful’ is an advice song, it talks you through ways to change your outlook in order to make your life beautiful. It’s a comforting song I’ll certainly be returning to, which is the impression I got from many of these songs.
‘Sometimes Words Just Get in the Way’ represents the characteristics of ‘Cathartic Fall’ best- instrumental-forward with emotional highs and lows, taking you along the journey and forcing you to feel it. I would argue this curiously genre-bending, vulnerable approach to music will make instrumentals/classical music cool again.
My absolute favourite track on the album, though, is the closer ‘Angel (A Capella Version)’, which reminded me of old-school Bon Iver and the vocoder-y vocals they used to produce. It’s a touching song about how you’ll always love someone, and after all this talk of falling, it brings the focus back to love. It is a truly impactful way to close the album.
As an artist, Cathartic Fall’s melodic tendencies are clear, his musical instincts are strong, and his lyrics are honest and raw. I am hopeful for the future of his music, and excited to see some more risks being taken, as he certainly has the talent and skill to execute them. This album lives up to its title in being cathartic and dreamy, whilst also breaking your heart.