Ian Aaberg’s When the Reign Starts to Fall is a soft, emotional acoustic piece that feels both calming and powerful. It’s completely instrumental—just Ian and his guitar—but it says a lot without needing words. This track is the first song from his new four-song EP and shows off his great fingerpicking guitar skills.
The music moves through three different parts, like a short story. It starts in a light, hopeful mood, but slowly shifts into something darker and more emotional. This change in the music reflects a feeling of trying hard to move forward in life, but still feeling stuck in the same place. The final part of the song, in a minor key, brings a sense of quiet sadness, like realizing things aren’t changing the way you hoped.
Ian recorded the track by playing it live several times, without sticking to a strict plan. He then picked the version that best told the emotional story. This gives the song a very natural and real feel—it’s not over-polished, and that makes it more powerful.
The title, When the Reign Starts to Fall, is a play on words—it’s about a fall in emotion (like sadness taking over), and also a nod to popular culture references like the Roman Empire meme and the Friends theme song.
Overall, this song is simple, heartfelt, and deeply moving. It’s a great listen for anyone who enjoys acoustic guitar music or is going through a time of reflection. Even without lyrics, it makes you feel something.