We previously featured Thomas Bernard Howard for his evocative debut single, Rose, so when we heard that the rising star had returned with Flame, we couldn’t wait to listen and feed back.
Establishing the mood with an immersive synthscape, Thomas Bernard Howard opens Flame with his signature atmospheric vocals as he reminisces lyrically. We immediately re-connect with the emotional depth that Thomas conveys with his prose, and the charismatic energy that he delivers as he takes us on a thought-provoking and personal journey.
Speaking frankly on the release, Thomas tells us, “Flame is a wild departure from my debut single and I can’t wait to shock my audiences. However, I do not shock people just to shock them. I have only truth to tell.”
We are mesmerized with Flame, and the manner in which the track evolves sonically, with a moody and transcendental edge, tapping into an ethereal vibe with philosophical nuance.
Elaborating further on the sonic architecture of Flame, the artist confesses, “There are some musical easter eggs in the song, like before the chorus, four notes prominently play – in the key of C major, F, followed by A, followed by G, followed by C.”
Thomas continues, “It almost sounds like what you’d hear from a doorbell, or even a church bell, or other western Judeo-Christian conventions. I won’t say exactly why I placed this here, only that I did so for a very specific reason. Flame is like a candle – it has a hypnotic quality, but there is more underneath.”
When it comes to his sonic inspirations for this project, Thomas says, “I consider Jonathan Morali (Syd Matters), Sufjan Stevens and Cigarettes After Sex to be influences. They are distinctly different from one another and contribute different things, but appeal to that same vibe I enjoy.” There is also no doubt that Thomas Bernard Howard is creating a universe of his own.
We adore Thomas’ profound nature and intentional brand of song creation. The artist is releasing his record like chapters of a book and leaves us with the words of wisdom that, “Things ought to be born of love, after all.”
We have added Flame to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we continue to stream Rose, and anticipate future releases from Thomas Bernard Howard!