Setting the tone with cerebral textures, intricate percussion and a sense of intrigue, Richard Tyler Epperson opens his new record, A Wandering Mind, with the song Sunrise and the conceptual and introspective lyrics, “I wanna go, a place where, things that you never see, but I wanna stay without me…”
The opus expands with enigmatic guitar, into a luscious and cinematic soundscape with industrial bassline detailing, and we are hypnotized. We appreciate the rising artist from Salt Lake City’s unique style and thought-provoking lyricism. The instrumental segment, which doubles as a middle eight is outstanding, and the reprise of Sunrise is anthemic.
Lyrically, the song addresses how difficult a new day can be when dealing with depression. Speaking on the track, Richard confesses, “The inspiration behind Sunrise comes from that feeling you get when you’re caught in between the sadness [and/or] numbness phase of depression. When you’re stuck in that dark place, you hope the new day will bring light, but if or when it doesn’t, it can feel unbearable.”
Next up is a song called 2AM, which has already been released as part of the ongoing teaser campaign for the album. The track opens with intimate keys and guitar before a riser leads us to vocals as Richard Tyler Epperson sings, “It’s 2am and my mind won’t stop, I’m wide awake but I can’t get up, this time…”
We appreciate the more grounded and situational song-writing approach of 2AM which showcases the artist’s vulnerabilities as he sings, “You got my pride defeated…”. The track itself addresses the heart break associated with a once good relationship that has now gone bad.
We All Need Some Love is next, and opens with a synth, bold drums and electric guitar, as Richard Tyler Epperson sings, “When you’re cold inside, and you’ve got nowhere to go, that’s when you should call me love, I don’t want you to be alone…”. We love the more blues-romantic side of this piece. Elaborating on the intention of the song, Richard tells us, “I wanted it to be a positive song for people that are afraid to ask for help. It’s okay to have help, we’re all humans, no matter how strong you think you are, you still need that emotional support to get through those tough times. There is no reason to face it alone.”
Take It Slow kicks off with layered guitars and a mild electronica energy as Richard sings with wisdom, inviting us to enjoy the moment and slow down. The single has also already been released, and Richard delivers the lyrics, “Take your time baby, let’s just take it slow, got a long way to go on this winding road, so there’s no need to run…”. We appreciate his poetic prowess and the charming and soulful insight that Richard shares with his lyricism and the overall message of the song.
So Stuck on You is an emotive and charming ode to love, as Richard shares his soul amidst some breathtaking electronica and pulsating beats. We love the dimensionality of the track and the vocal range that Richard demonstrates!
He asks poetically, “What should I do, I’m so stuck on you, got my mind so confused cos my heart’s still for you…”. We appreciate the glitched bass details which add dynamism to the introspective and metaphorical piece.
Next is A Beautiful Day, released today, which lends itself to an inspiring energy with glistening production and an optimistic message. We love the bells and harmonies, and how the whirring baselines stay consistent throughout the listening experience of the whole record.
The song holds a sense of nostalgia combined with the futuristic sonic style and vocal mixing that bonds the album cohesively together. We love the question-answer style delivery of the lyrics, as Richard assures us, “I promise you that we will see it through…” and invites us to forget what is in our way.
Finally, we hear Living Within My Thoughts, which combines all of Richard Tyler Epperson’s different styles by mixing acoustic, electronic and rock elements into a haunting beautiful chaotic closer, which the talented artist states “is one of the most meaningful songs that I’ve ever written. Sometimes we get lost within our own thoughts and that can be very confusing and lonely place. With the lyrics having so much meaning behind them, it was important to try to match the intensity of the music to reflect that conflicted emotion.”
We love the dimensionality of the record as a whole, and the charismatic and emotive delivery that Richard Tyler Epperson shares with his artistry and message. The production is expansive, intricate and pioneers a progressive sonic energy, combined with themes and songwriting that are timeless.
There is no doubt that fans of James Blake would be able to connect with Richard Tyler Epperson‘s vibe, but it is also clear that he is creating a universe of his own.
A Wandering Mind is due for release on January 1, 2023, and is an entertaining and compelling experience from start to finish. We have added So Stuck On You and A Beautiful Day to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and will be adding Sunrise to the playlist as soon as it is released! Meanwhile, we continue to stream Richard Tyler Epperson‘s wider discography!