Recorded in his Montreal apartment, “Time to Burn” paints a picture of Michael Feuerstack mid-isolation. Wrought with wordplay, the single is the second to be released from his upcoming album, Harmonize the Moon, which addresses the “inherent illusory nature” of time.
Feuerstack takes a broad swipe at a big mood with the lyrics. Methodically unfocused, “Time to Burn” seems to be the sort of mantra that we’re intended to get lost in. Feuerstack gently meanders from verse to chorus, presenting them with all the seductive appeal of abandoning our responsibilities in favour of something safely beyond the event horizon.
“Lose control, just lose control, tear the pages from the book and let them go,” sing Feuerstacks like society has become dusty keepsake we’ve grown needlessly fond of and might cast off through an act of catharsis.
“The song is built around a simple but hypnotic sequence that I just couldn’t stop strumming. It felt right and a little unnerving. That’s usually when I know I’ve found a clue for a song. I’ve got a lead. Next thing I know I’m like a crime scene detective unearthing forensic evidence with a little brush,” Feuerstack jokes.
While Feuerstack waxes poetic on lethargy, the gentle rolling of sounds were created with the necessity of march step timing. According to Feuerstack, his ancient marching drum and borrowed snare and mallets were employed with such timing as to not overtax the patience of his neighbours, and lowkey informing us he believes in ethical musicianship.
Adding in a conversational electric guitar, ambient organ pads and the strum of an acoustic, “Time to Burn” is deceptively layered for all its pleasant minimalism. If you’ve got a slow year or two, it might be the sort of thing could pick apart for while; adding to Feuerstack’s body of forensic evidence.
Michael Feuerstacks’s new album, Horizon the Moon, is set to be released on March 19, 2021.