We previously featured Thomas Bernard Howard‘s transcendental, episodic seven-track opus, Rose, which served as an incredible and delicate yet thought-provoking body of work. Today, Thomas released a song called Ash – so naturally, we were curious to hear the evolution of his artistry and couldn’t wait to share our experience.
Ash opens with a meditative frequency and an immersive synth melody as Thomas shares his metaphorical depth with introspection and cerebral nuance as he brings to life the lived experience of ash itself. As with reality, we learn that this serves as a spiritual successor to his song Flame. We are always captivated by his brooding timbre and the cinematic allure that manifests with Thomas’s songs.
There is no doubt that his music is perfect for a range of sync deals – we could imagine Ash in a Luca Guadagnino movie or a TV show like Euphoria on HBO. We appreciate the cohesive tapestry of sound that manifests with Ash, and the layered pitched vocals bring to life the concept very clearly.
With Ash, Thomas encourages a deeper exploration of this fiery connection with the mantra “I have no love for you…” which repeats with resonance as the song fades out. He confesses, “Ash is like Flame coming into focus through a lens, or the shedding of unnecessary material that clouds judgment.” It serves as a track shaped by refinement, clarity and emotional precision.
Sonically, we note how Ash retains the shadowed intensity of its predecessor (read about Flame here), yet it feels more distilled and sinister with notions of resolution. There is a cathartic energy that manifests.
The forthcoming video for Ash, directed and produced by Thomas himself visualizes the track’s core themes of trauma, heartbreak, spirituality and death. Its imagery is designed to expand the emotional and conceptual weight of the song, thereby transforming it into a fully realized audiovisual chapter within the Rose continuum.
Naturally, we are in awe, and have added Ash to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Thomas Bernard Howard!