Cathartic Fall – Cathartic Fall | the features (2024)
Jeoff Harris’ latest musical venture, Cathartic Fall, marks a new chapter in an already prolific career. Known for his work on chart-topping hits such as Madelline’s ‘I’m Only Here for the Beat’ and Royal & The Serpent’s viral gold-certified ‘Overwhelmed’, Harris is no stranger to success. However, with Cathartic Fall, he moves away from mainstream pop production and ventures into a much more introspective and experimental sonic realm, deeply rooted in personal expression and mental health awareness.
The project, which debuted earlier this year with a self-titled album, blends Harris’ signature sound design with raw emotional narratives, tackling themes such as grief, loss, anxiety, and personal growth. Cathartic Fall doesn’t just stop at being a musical exploration but expands into a multi-disciplinary art project that invites collaboration with poets and mental health advocates. This merging of music and spoken word is a bold, boundary-pushing approach that elevates the emotional intensity of the album.
One of the most striking aspects of the album is its ability to combine immersive ambient soundscapes with poetry, creating a deeply cinematic and reflective experience. The music is lush and expansive with atmospheric synths and reverb-laden guitars that feel both ethereal and grounded in human emotion. Tracks like ‘Before The Fall’ and ‘Breathe’ have a haunting beauty as the melodies float over minimalist instrumentation allowing space for the listener to fully immerse themselves in the experience.
The inclusion of spoken word performances from artists like Whitney Hanson, Allie Michelle, and Trev Cimenski adds another layer of vulnerability to the project. Each poem serves as a direct emotional commentary, amplifying the themes Harris seeks to explore in his music. Matthias J Barker’s contributions bring mental health insights that feel both practical and philosophical making the album not only a piece of art but also a tool for introspection and self-help. The collaboration between these voices and Harris’ instrumentation blurs the lines between music, poetry, and mental health advocacy in a way that feels both innovative and deeply personal.
Standout tracks like ‘Just This’ and ‘Strong As Death’ build on this framework using sparse, downtempo beats as the backdrop for poignant spoken word performances. These songs are meditative and reflective, inviting the listener into a space of emotional processing. The track ‘Sometimes Words Just Get In The Way’ serves as a powerful example of Harris’ ability to communicate complex emotions through sound. The juxtaposition of spoken word and ambient textures creates a soundscape that feels both intimate and expansive, making the listening experience feel immersive and almost therapeutic.
With 50% of the album’s initial streaming proceeds being donated to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Cathartic Fall further cements itself as more than just music – it is an advocacy project for mental health. This charitable gesture aligns perfectly with the themes of the album, reinforcing the idea that music and art can serve as powerful tools for healing and self-expression.
Overall, Cathartic Fall is a masterful debut that showcases Harris’ evolution as an artist. It is a deeply personal and innovative project that transcends traditional album formats, blending music, spoken word, and mental health awareness into a cohesive, emotionally charged experience. Fans of Harris’ previous work will appreciate this more introspective side, while new listeners will find themselves drawn into the project’s raw emotionality and innovative approach.
Find out more about Cathartic Fall on his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
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