Album Review: Evening Star by Emma Harner
Emma Harner’s long-anticipated debut album, Evening Star, has finally been delivered to fans’ hands, and it couldn’t have been a better gift from the math folk artist. From the opening song and leading single Gale, to standout Charlotte and the title track closer, this album’s composition as a whole is incredible, not to mention the structure of each track.
Gale was a fantastic introduction to this album as well as to Harner’s newest era with this record. The folksy guitars, floaty vocals, and beautifully simple synths set the perfect tone for the tunes ahead. This song feels like an outdoor breeze, gentle spring rain, and the quiet of daybreak all at once.
Charlotte is bound to be a fan favorite, featuring smooth electric guitar layered with an acoustic to create an exquisitely moving yet underlying verse. Lyrics such as, “Tell me off, tell me anything darling. I’m talking in circles, you’re always right,” are not only very relatable, but also poetic. The sequence feels natural, adding to the motion of the song as a whole.
The chorus, which says, “Charlotte in the mirror, Charlotte ‘til I’m dead, Charlotte in my heart and right over my head. Charlotte at the bar, and Charlotte in a haze—what else is descending? Maybe it’s okay,” feels like a call to a lover; it’s full of depth and sound that construct a stunning atmosphere together.
The title track calls back the quiet folk of Gale, with strong chords and a voice that floats through the space it takes. Beautiful enough to bring anyone to tears, Harner crafts a soundscape full of emotion through warm acoustic guitar and layer upon layer of synths in Evening Star. Concluding with a simple, “okay,” this number feels strangely familiar as it eases into a synth hum.
Harner’s debut album is sure to be a hit as it shapes a comforting home in a new reality. Evening Star is truly a work of art among the songs including Gale, Charlotte, and Evening Star. This album is an emotionally moving piece and a truly wonderful exploration of folk soundscapes.
