Last year, we featured Thomas Bernard Howard for his signature ethereal and cinematic energy on the resolute and cathartic single, Ash, so when we heard that Thomas was back with Emerald, we were curious to say the least, and couldn’t wait to immerse ourselves in his universe once again.
Emerald opens with a meditative and dimensional synthscape, another cohesive addition to Thomas’ ever-evolving discography. We appreciate the poetic depth and introspective energy that manifest as Thomas delivers an ethereal exploration on identity. The song explores the feelings of a surreal, short-lived romance that unfolded around Thomas Bernard Howard’s 30th birthday.
Thomas confesses, “My 30th birthday came, alongside a surreal and disjointed romance that, in the style of a David Lynch film, experienced itself.” In essence, the lyrics reflect on strange coincidences, shared moments, and emotional disorientation. As with Thomas’s wider symbolic universe, the emerald birthstone becomes a symbol of expansion, transforming Thomas from a passive dreamer into the figure of a siren.
He says, “I study my famously stagnant birthstone and process what limited time we shared like a character stuck in a dream, but this time, I step into a more advanced role: that of a siren, born on the fifth month, and curiously fond of seconds, who lures sailors out to sea.”
We learn that Thomas created Emerald entirely by himself. The multi-disciplinary and visionary rising artist wrote the lyrics, composed the music, produced the recording, performed all vocals and instruments, and even designed the artwork and video. His background in visual art, architecture, piano, guitar, and music production shaped the song’s cinematic dream-pop and shoegaze atmosphere that fans of Sufjan Stevens and Cigarettes After Sex will be able to connect with.
What is interesting is that Thomas describes Emerald as the spiritual successor to Diamond, track 3 of the 2023 album Rose. The song is filled with recurring numerical motifs, including birthdays on the 22nd and 2nd, and Thomas being born in the fifth month (May), all of which reinforce the dreamlike sense of hidden correspondence with his muse. Of course, we love the intentional numerology that manifests. We could also imagine the song being featured in a film like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, or indeed a TV show like the Netflix hit, Sirens.
Needless to say, we have added Emerald to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Thomas Bernard Howard’s exquisite, growing discography, and anticipate future releases!