Future in The Mirror is an Album by Fickle Hill: A Genre-Bending Adventure Through Emotion and Time

Fickle Hill is the project of multi-instrumentalist James, who is based in Irvine, California. The artist makes a clear statement with his new release, Future in the Mirror. This album comprises 16 tracks and is more than just music; it is a reflection of life, memory, and uncertainty about the future. James has been honing his craft for over three decades, and over that time has refused to be confined to one musical style. Instead, he continuously creates a kaleidoscopic soundscape that borrows from alt-rock, folk, metal, and experimental sounds to produce a continuous sonic adventure.

The album is very personal, but also relatable. The song House Fire captures the raw tension of living through California wildfires, while Diana of Juarez revisits a violent and tragic true story of revenge. There are more personal moments juxtaposed with reflection on aging, identity, and survival that present a cathartic opportunity for listeners to explore the less tangible experience of living in a world full of both specific moments of angst and broader adaptive challenges.

Future in The Mirror is an eclectic smorgasbord of sound that makes use of ingredients and influences from time-honored influences, tool Radiohead and Smashing Pumpkins, but does not imitate any of them. James' hand-built guitars, multilayered rhythms, and emotive humanistic vocals create a recognizable sound that is contemporary and alive. The album was recorded in James' bedroom after leaving the corporate grind, and embodies the spirit of reinvention and proof that artistry can exist and thrive in the solitary.