REVIEW: Exciting Single “Insomniac” is Born Through the Collaboration of Your Two Favorite Storytellers
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY KATIE SLATER ☆
A WONDERFUL COLLABORATIVE PROJECT BETWEEN INDIE-FOLK POP ARTISTS ZACK MORRIS AND CALEB HEARN—“Insomniac” is a single steeped in nostalgia. Detailing the soul-crushing days that follow a breakup, their storytelling talents come together to tell the tale of sleepless nights and looping memories. A perfect marriage of aching lyrics and atmospheric sound design, the two unfold in unison.
Despite the troubled themes of the track, it opens with a bright and comforting sounding guitar part. Built on resonant open strings, the part keeps landing back on its opening chord, creating a sense of home. This languid harmony becomes the perfect framing for Morris’ liquid vocals, which melt into the acoustic layer.
Following this soothing opening, the backing suddenly drops, as Zack sings “burn away every piece of you.” Condensing the warm chords into a distant part, it is a strong drumbeat that takes the reigns. A metaphor perhaps for the immediate loss of comfort and security that comes with a sudden breakup, the soundscape moves from a radiant smoothness to thumping percussion. Reminiscent of a pounding heart, the move to a more anxious sound is unmissable.
Following this sparse section, the chorus erupts in complete contrast. A change from his usual effortlessly sleek delivery, the passion in his words is unmistakable as he belts memories of unrequited feelings. Still led by the guitar, the framework becomes angry and distorted, as overdriven chords fill the space.
As the music settles back into the second verse, Caleb leads the storytelling. Playing into the same feelings of lost love, his lyrics are characterized by longer phrases, using vivid descriptions in contrast to Zack’s more rhythmic delivery. Looping back to the chordal accompaniment of the first verse, the sense of home is this time incredibly distant. The track takes on a similar muted quality featured before the chorus, and with more frequent cuts to transparent voicings, the nostalgic comfort of the opening moves out of reach.
Following an equally impactful chorus, the song comes to a close with a final flourish of distorted harmony, suspending the listener in the echoing pain of a love that is struggling to fade. A powerful disintegration that ensures “Insomniac” lingers in your head long after the final note, it captures the persistence of the restless memories that haunt this song.
