After six years of evocative singles and EPs, Bristol’s ambient-folk composer Message To Bears (Jerome Alexander) returns with a profoundly intimate full-length album: Tired Eyes, Waking Hearts. Released July 18, 2025 on Lost Birds Records, Alexander delivers a cinematic journey woven with delicate instrumentals, atmospheric space, and emotional depth.
From the opening notes of “Turbines Over Oceans,” the album efficiently melds acoustic guitar, piano, and ethereal electronics—elements that have defined Alexander’s work since Folding Leaves and Carved from Tides. But here, each track swells with refined nuance. Strings by David Grubb and guest wind players subtly shift the mood, while contributions like lap steel and clarinet introduce wistful depth.
Track highlights like “Disquiet,” previously issued as a single ahead of the album, reveal a quiet revolution in tone. Its hushed vocals and brooding resonance underscore Alexander’s gift for transforming personal sentiment into universal empathy. Later, “Open Lungs” functions as a sonic exhale, balancing reflection and release in nearly ritualistic fashion.
The production, handled entirely by Alexander in Bristol, bathes each piece in spacious elegance. Gregory Euclide’s artwork reflects this serenity, mirroring the album’s blend of tension and repose.
