Premiere: Joe Ramsey Contemplates Time, Purpose, and Presence in "Mornings," an Evocative Indie Folk Reflection - Atwood Magazine

      Newcastle singer/songwriter Joe Ramsey explores the in-between state of existence in his song “Mornings,” a beautifully introspective indie folk piece that grapples with themes of presence, purpose, disconnection, and desire.

      There’s an unfiltered reckoning that occurs in moments of stillness, particularly when we wake up late again, lost in contemplation of where the time has gone and its significance. In these hazy, fragmented, and partially lived moments, we confront the uncomfortable reality that time waits for no one. It’s the one thing we can never reclaim, yet we often find ourselves mired in feelings of stagnation, uncertainty, or misalignment with our true selves. "Mornings" resides in this transitional space: the pause between our current selves and our ideal selves, between our present life and the one we yearn for. Joe Ramsey delves into that liminal space in his latest single, creating a deeply reflective song that longs for presence, purpose, and peace.

      In the lyrics of "Mornings," Ramsey expresses:

      I keep missing the mornings

      And I wish I was awake

      There’s no lessons I’m learning

      Sleeping in a state of all that it takes

      To make a lining in the sand

      To cross the deserts of the land

      Do I own it?

      The differences are plain to see

      The less I breathe it openly

      Do I long for it?

      Atwood Magazine is thrilled to premiere “Mornings,” the newest single from Joe Ramsey. A bittersweet yet quietly hopeful indie folk track, “Mornings” finds strength in tranquility, blooming from a gentle acoustic whisper into a powerful full-band crescendo. It marks a bold intimate return for Ramsey, whose 2022 debut EP Making Notes showcased his unique blend of solo lyricism and indie rock energy. With “Mornings,” he begins a fresh chapter focused on reflection, intention, and the desire to make one’s time meaningful.

      “Mornings” reflects on the brain fog and sense of disconnection characterizing Ramsey's mornings during an unconventional period, he explains to Atwood Magazine. “I would then feel productive later in the day, where the line ‘am I living all the lives that I craved’ emerged – questioning whether I was doing all I could.”

      That central question reverberates through the song, serving as a gut punch:

      Have I been losing all the time that it takes?

      Of course it is

      And do I recognize the life that I lead?

      I know it is

      A privilege to render

      Imagining the waste

      Have I been living all the lives that I craved?

      Centered on themes of time, self-reflection, and emotional inertia, “Mornings” reflects on our engagement—or lack thereof—in our own lives. The lyrics balance between fatigue and longing, probing not only how we fill our days but why we do so. It’s a gentle confrontation with the self-image we had hoped to achieve by now, coupled with the vulnerable acknowledgment that the journey is ongoing.

      I keep missing the mornings

      And I can’t say it’s a mistake

      I’m realizing that it’s all too long

      A subconscious thing to break it away

      To write a letter in the hand

      To make myself a better man

      Do I long for it?

      Have I been losing all the time that it takes?

      Of course it is

      And do I recognize the life that I lead?

      I know it is

      A privilege to render

      Imagining the waste

      Have I been living all the lives that I craved?

      Musically, the track is rich and vibrant. Produced by James Kenosha (Mosa Wild, Gavin James), “Mornings” combines bright guitar melodies with a solid rhythm section, allowing Ramsey’s warm, emotive, and understated voice to shine. Fans of Ben Howard, Leif Vollebekk, and Ken Yates will appreciate the layered textures and heartfelt vulnerability.

      The emotional weight of the song’s refrain—“hold tight or let it go”—captures its essential conflict: the balance between control and surrender, between who we are and who we wish to be. It transcends a mere question; it offers a path forward.

      Hold tight or let it go

      I’ll try it on my own let’s go

      Don’t keep the curtain closed

      It’s too hard, only December knows…

      “Mornings” might not provide straightforward answers, but it creates a space for meaningful questions—transforming it into more than just a song; it becomes a moment for reflection, a mirror, a breath.

      Listen to "Mornings" exclusively on Atwood Magazine and take a moment to check in with yourself, courtesy of Joe Ramsey. Are you where you want to be? Have you been living all the lives that you craved?

      Have I been losing all the time that it takes?

      Of course it is