Singer-songwriter Miles Hewitt explores the intersection of human identity and technological encroachment in his latest project, Vainglory, an album that examines the modern sense of living through the end of an era. Released on July 24, the record serves as a follow-up to his 2022 debut, Heartfall, continuing his trajectory as an artist focused on grand, sociopolitical themes delivered through the medium of spectral folk-rock.
Hewitt, a 31-year-old musician who previously studied poetry at Harvard University, approaches songwriting with a technical precision often associated with literary composition. He describes the process of crafting lyrics as a form of “pushing on something and feeling how it will push back on you,” noting that the intentionality behind word choice is central to his creative philosophy. This attention to detail extends to the album’s title, which he characterizes not as a reflection of his own artistic output, but as a critique of humanity’s misplaced confidence in technological control.
Thematic Scope and Artistic Direction
The conceptual framework of Vainglory is rooted in a skepticism toward the materialist view of human experience. Hewitt argues that contemporary society is undergoing a “rapid reframing” of what it means to be human, particularly as data-driven systems begin to quantify and market personal existence. In discussing the album’s themes, Hewitt points to the influence of Ecclesiastes, framing the title as a commentary on the vanity of believing that human perspective holds absolute power over the universe.
Musically, the album draws from the traditions of prime-era English folk, with Hewitt noting Nick Drake as a significant inspiration. The soundscapes are designed to evoke the desolate, haunted landscapes depicted on the album’s cover. To achieve this, Hewitt collaborated with a rotating cast of musicians from established indie-rock acts, including members associated with Destroyer, Cass McCombs, and Andy Schauf. By recording multiple versions of tracks, Hewitt sought to ensure that each song captured a specific emotional spirit, a process he admits took significantly longer and cost more than his previous work.
Production and Collaborative Process
The development of Vainglory diverged sharply from the methods used for Heartfall. While his debut was informed by the constraints of the pandemic, which allowed Hewitt to develop “elaborate blueprints” for every sound before entering the studio, the new record embraced a more spontaneous approach. Hewitt credits his collaborators in New York for their ability to interpret his vision, noting that the musicians were able to identify the correct musical parts with minimal self-indulgence.
“For me, what makes an album really special isn’t just that it’s good or that it sounds good, but it has that feeling to it,” Hewitt said. He emphasized that the album functions as a song cycle, where the sequencing is intended to create a dialogue between tracks. Rather than relying on alter egos or a traditional narrative plot, the album acts as a search for truth on both a sociopolitical and an aesthetic level.
A Shift in Perspective
When asked about the “bird’s-eye view” present in the songwriting, Hewitt explained that he felt a need to move away from the personal, character-driven focus of his earlier work. He acknowledged initial hesitation regarding writing on such a large scale, but ultimately decided that the feelings of uncertainty and the perceived end of a familiar world were universal concerns that demanded expression.
Regarding the lack of a spiritual or divine presence within the world of the songs, Hewitt stated, “I feel like there’s no god in the world of these songs.” Instead, the music seeks to find meaning beyond the “barbarity and materialism” of the current era. This search, he suggests, is the primary question facing his generation: whether individuals are merely data points or something more substantial that current forms of quantification cannot grasp.
As the promotional cycle for Vainglory continues, listeners can find the album available through major streaming platforms and independent music retailers. Updates regarding future tour dates or additional artistic projects are expected to be shared via his official social media channels.