A Red Window to the Soul — Harsh Symmetry Faces the Fear of Change in “Stained Glass”

I don’t wanna be

A twisted scene of flesh and blood

Just needed something to believe

And when it’s all been said and done

Change, whether personal or global, is unavoidable, yet we greet it with apprehension, perhaps even terror. The mind, ever protective of the known, clings desperately to its comforts, even when they no longer serve us. It’s the ambiguity that unsettles us—the potential for things to unravel, to spiral out of control. But change, like a storm, is indifferent to our resistance. It tears through the familiar, unsettling the foundations we thought were firm. And still, it beckons us to move with it, shaping who we are through its relentless force.

Stained Glass is the first single off Harsh Symmetry‘s upcoming six-song EP, On-Screen Death. Los Angeles artist Julian Sharwarko, operating under the banner of Harsh Symmetry, has swiftly etched out a niche in the darkwave landscape in the City of Angels. His work is a labyrinth of past and present, marrying the shadowy vibes of Depeche Mode and Echo and the Bunnymen with a modern pulse that stands alongside Lebanon Hanover, Twin Tribes, and She Past Away. His sound is a heady collision of brooding nostalgia and contemporary grit, sliding effortlessly into today’s underworld. It’s moody, it’s melancholic, and it’s unapologetically intense.

Stained Glass delves into feelings of disillusionment and emotional distance, painting a stark picture of a fractured identity. The stained glass metaphor conveys self-reflection and the painful process of confronting one’s own image, distorted by betrayal and internal strife. The speaker wrestles with the discomfort of seeing their true self, as well as the emotional weight of treachery, ultimately rejecting both the reflection and the feelings it stirs. This introspective, atmospheric track touches on themes of vulnerability, control, and the fragility of human connections.

“In the simplest terms the song is about change,” Shawarko muses. “The fear and dread of change for the worse, and the discomfort and ambiguity of change in general. It could be personal or it could be reflective of the world we live in, but it is most definitely intended to highlight the complexity and powerlessness of change.”

Harsh Symmetry melds humility and abstraction on this track, balancing atmospheric synths with Shawarko’s rich baritone, reminiscent of Phil Oakey from Human League. Much of the song came to life using a four-track cassette recorder, complemented by digital elements, resulting in a minimalist yet emotionally charged melody. His powerful voice glides over sleek, pulsating rhythms. The analogue and digital fusion lends a raw, authentic edge to the sleek production, bringing an organic touch to its moody, post-punk influences. In doing so, Harsh Symmetry creates a dynamic tension with understated power, and an enigmatic, haunting allure.

Watch the video for “Stained Glass” below:

Listen to Stained Glass below and order here.

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