A Reflection on Narrow Head’s Moments of Clarity

Lee McNally

Local Music Journalist

Narrow Head’s third studio album “Moments of Clarity” first released in February of 2023, has continued to remain vital to my music taste today, so much so that almost every track stays in my current rotation. An alt-rock band hailing from Dallas, Texas, Narrow Head has transcended multiple genres, from the dreamlike distortion of shoegaze to the angst of ‘90s grunge. Furthermore, frontman Jacob Duarte was originally in the Houston hardcore punk scene during the 2010s, which is reflected in his own vocals on heavier tracks and the band’s ability to break genre barriers.

In regard to my experience with the band’s music, I first started listening to Narrow Head as a young teen, and the first track I ever played was “Ashtray” from their 2020 album “Satisfaction.” From then on, they have remained one of my favorite bands, ultimately starting my descent into exploring the modern American shoegaze scene, with bands like They are Gutting a Body of Water, Trauma Ray, and Modern Color.

“Moments of Clarity” chooses to reflect on some softer sounds in tracks like “Breakup Song” and “The Comedown,” but will simultaneously hit heavy with tracks “Gearhead” and “Flesh and Solitude,” all highlighting themes of self-discovery through reflection and isolation. The best way I can describe this album is an amalgamation of dream and reality, a push and pull between destruction and rebirth through gritty reality of the human experience.

In the track “Moments of Clarity,” the namesake of the album, Jacob Duarte’s lyricism breathes life back into the ‘90s grunge moodiness with dreamy vocals and guitar riffs as the lyrics detail the lack of communication in a relationship. The music video follows suit with a gritty depiction of daily life, with Duarte driving his car, walking through a pet store and a mall, all the while being followed by a woman he keeps avoiding. To me, this song most clearly reflects the album’s theme of trying to outrun one’s past and what haunts them, whether it be a failed relationship or internal struggles.

Now my absolute favorite track, “Gearhead,” takes a much sharper tone in screamed vocals and a repetitive melodic guitar riff, as the music video focuses in on the band performing a poolside house show, with other various clips of members of the band swimming in the water. In line with the main “Moments of Clarity” themes of isolation, the lyrics on this track take a more cynical approach to the difficulty of confronting inner struggles and how that can hinder our relationships with others.

Since I’ve been an avid listener of Narrow Head for over five years, I can attest to the emotional impact their music has had on me and my appreciation for the modern alt-rock scene. Personally, I tend to fixate on the

relatability of a band’s lyricism, and Narrow Head has consistently delivered an auditory catharsis as a listener, which is even more satisfying through their genre-defying sound. What I appreciate the most about finding a wonderful album is to be able to build upon my current music taste, and knowing what genres intrigue me the most.

Although this album has been out for over three years, I find that it still speaks to me in a way that feels new, knowing that I can turn to different tracks depending on how reflective I’d like to be. While much of Narrow Head’s personal charm for me comes from nostalgia, I still find myself recommending “Moments of Clarity” to any seasoned alt-rock enjoyers, or those who simply want to reach into the genre.