Georgia Harmer’s sophomore release, ‘Eye of the Storm,’ functions as a profound sonic anchor for those adrift in the noise of the modern world. While her debut, ‘Stay In Touch’ (Arts & Crafts, 2022), focused on the effervescence of youth and memory through a more polished indie-rock lens, this self-produced collection finds Harmer navigating the deeper waters of self-realization and the complex weights we carry for others. The record is defined by a striking shift in production philosophy; Harmer opted for more intimacy, recording in familiar domestic spaces like backyard garages and dining rooms to preserve every natural echo and floorboard creak. This departure from the traditional studio sheen of her earlier work turns the listener into a trusted confidante, heightening the impact of her freshwater vocals and precise fingerpicking.
The album opens with “Can We Be Still”, a soft groover that serves as a plea for presence and establishes the central theme of finding a moment of quiet in a life that feels like it is constantly running to catch up with time. This search for stillness leads directly into the title track, “Eye of the Storm”, which stands as an exercise in empathy. Using the metaphor of holding one’s breath so another can breathe, the song examines the quiet toll of emotional labor and the burden of feeling responsible for someone else’s happiness, a sentiment Harmer began writing years ago and only fully decoded through the lens of adulthood. Her songwriting here reveals a clear evolution in her literary influences, moving away from simple observation toward a more intricate, prose-like exploration of the psyche, reminiscent of the evocative, naturalistic storytelling found in the works of Alice Munro.
The record thrives on these dualities, the urge to fix others versus the need for self-preservation. In “Take It On”, a subtle darkness skulks around the edges of Harmer’s laid-back delivery as she confronts her own impulse to be sucked into the vortex of others’ inner landscapes. Conversely, “Last Love” provides a warm, acoustic counterpoint, exploring the rare security of a devotion that feels infinite. Harmer’s voice remains the album’s most potent instrument, weaving through understated arrangements that occasionally lean into 80s rock guitars or jazz-pop rhythms without ever losing their folk-rooted soul. This is particularly evident on “Hazel vs. The Coyote”, a surrealist highlight that mourns family pets through a lens of dream logic, blending personal grief with the raw, uncaring cycles of nature.
‘Eye of the Storm’ is more than a collection of songs; it is a cyclical celebration of growth and a deep breath of life. By embracing vulnerability and stripping away unnecessary polish in favor of raw, home-grown textures, Georgia Harmer has created an indie-folk portrait that feels both handwritten and universal. The closing track, “Memory Lullaby”, leaves the listener with a lingering sense of resolution, distilling years of growth into a final, emotionally upfront sentiment. It is a work of revelation found in the fading light, capturing an artist who has found her stride by embracing her own contradictions and the beauty of an unvarnished sound.
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