Tired Violence - Debut Single / Video Review

Photo by Michael Phillips - Review by Brittany Swigert

Tyler Morris is once again breaking out in to the scene with the first glimpse of a very promising solo career. This Friday, Morris will release the first single, titled “Hiraeth”, from his independent project Tired Violence. I have been watching all of the promos and following the page excitedly waiting for this one to cross my desk. Just as I was about to ask my boss, it dropped in to the line and I grabbed it right away. If Tyler sounds familiar it may be that you have heard his voice through one of the many features he has done with various bands, or it could be that you, like me, followed Misgiving like a religion. While I have enjoyed his work in the past, something about “Hiraeth” felt different. Tired violence shows a more pensive and emotional Morris through softer tones, upbeat melodies, and heart wrenching lyricism. While that in and of itself isn’t to far from what we’ve seen, like in Misgiving’s “Sirena”, there is a major difference that I have to bring to light. Morris has always been a talented vocalist, and with a great band behind him, he has had a hand in creating memorable and impactful music. These tracks were the stories, emotions, voices and labors of the group and encompassed a large range of sound and affect. Tired Violence is one story, one voice, and this leaves “Hiraeth” standing alone in the harsh light baring a singular soul. It’s absolutely genuine and you can feel that every time you listen to the song. There is something pure and raw about it, despite being masterfully composed and mastered.

The music video is almost entirely just Morris going through the motions. It opens on a pensive shot of antidepressants on the nightstand as he wakes up in the morning, cutting to mundane things in his home that had me invested. It all felt so genuine and I wanted to see what was going to happen. As the video carries on it shows him struggling through his day. At one point he manages to find some relief in an arcade cabinet, but it’s short lived when he interrupted by a phone call Morris clearly did not want that seems to end poorly. Most of the video shows him going through a range of emotions from peaceful, angry, anxious, and even numb. I particularly liked the use of the static background. While I’m unsure why it was used, it made me think of the noise and chaos associated with anxiety when life has too many moving parts. The scene where he floats in the pool felt like the stolen moments of silence and introspection, we all search for every day. At the end of the video it looks as if he is being taken back in to the woods. Perhaps there will be more to the story, but I can’t say for sure.

As far as the song itself. “Hiraeth” Has a fantastic beat in the beginning that draws you in right away. It focuses on a troubled relationship where neither party can really connect with the other. It’s the story of so many failed relationships and speaks to so many of us. Sonically, it is a solid track. Morris’ cleans have always been so smooth and this is no different. His screams have a raw quality to them that surpasses what I have heard from him the past. They are full of pent up emotion dying to break free. The instrumentals perfectly match his vocals and add to the emotional impact of the track. In some places they are heavier and others they feel almost acoustic. He has incorporated electronic elements with the guitar, bass and drum and it adds a lot of much needed levity to an otherwise somber track. Tired Violence is proving to be Morris’ strongest effort. It’s catchy, emotional, pensive, and just the right amount of heavy. He has balanced everything perfectly to ensure his debut solo carries the impact of his relatable lyricism. I was looking forward to “Hiraeth” for quite awhile and in my eagerness to listen I put it on repeat and just let it play. The end of the track blends so well with the start that for the first ten minutes I was lost in it. I wanted to experience every note, not miss a single chord, a word, a drum beat.

As soon as I realized I had listened to it at least a few times without taking a single note, I knew I had found my new favorite song. While you may not fall for it as fast and hard as I did, I can promise you it is well worth your time. I know there are others out there that will be just as taken by it as I was. The only let down I faced when reviewing this is that it was the debut track and there isn’t more for me to explore yet. You can be sure when there is I will be there front and center, bothering my boss for it so I can share it with the world.

Check out the new single on
Apple Music/iTunes
Google Play
Spotify

You can also find Tired Violence on Amazon, TikTok, Pandora, Tidal, and more for future content and updates!

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