From the high desert of Tehachapi comes one of alternative rock’s more emotionally bruising new releases.
TARUKI, the creative collective led by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Joe Jones, has unveiled “Fading Light (feat. Thomas Freckleton),” a deeply introspective single that pushes the project further into atmospheric alternative metal territory.
Built around longtime trusted collaborators rather than a fixed traditional lineup, TARUKI continues to shape its sound through instinct, chemistry, and emotional honesty.
The project also features Greg M. Johnson, alongside recurring collaborator Connor Denis of Beartooth, while former Silent Planet vocalist Thomas Freckleton brings added intensity to the track.
“Fading Light” explores identity collapse and the exhaustion of chasing an unattainable version of yourself. Jones frames the song around the idea of “searching for meaning in who I’m not,” turning self-doubt into something cinematic and visceral.
The track moves between restrained atmosphere and crushing release, never sacrificing clarity for chaos. Its rough edges feel intentional, with every distorted swell and fractured vocal line landing like a thought unraveling in real time.
Speaking about the single, TARUKI said,
“You can spend so long reaching for a light that you forget you might be the one dimming the light you already had inside. I hope this song makes someone stop, look around, and see what’s already there before it’s gone. Because it is something I still struggle with to this day.”
The accompanying music video leans into that same emotional collapse with stark, cinematic visuals that mirror the song’s suffocating tension rather than simply illustrating it.
TARUKI’s commitment to recording with vintage amplifiers, tape and real performances gives the release a rare sense of human imperfection that cuts through modern overproduction.
“Fading Light” arrives as another preview of TARUKI’s debut album, currently expected later in 2026.
Listen to the track on Spotify below!
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