Nordic newcomer HORRSE reveals his brand new single ‘Devil in the Flesh‘, as part of his debut EP, out now. Listen here.
Following on from the lead singles – which are seeing significant radio play across Scandinavia and support from The Independent – the new track utilises old-time gothic-folk imagery to illuminate themes of political corruption and apocalyptic anxiety.
‘Devil in the Flesh’ completes his Crossing EP, which serves as an accomplished tapestry of rootsie styles combined with forward-thinking and inclusive folk. Across its four tracks, Finsson asserts himself as an artist of great warmth, empathy, care and imagination, whose sharpened sensitivity to psychological struggle, societal unease, ambient sound and supple grooves reflects a modern reinterpretation of deep folk traditions.
Pretty and thorned, the dreamy arpeggios and lambent twinkle of ‘Queen of Roses’ frame a reflection on identity with a soft, sharp touch. In its unhurried lollop, ‘You’re a Ghost’ embellishes beatific folk with atmospheric shading, pitched between the campfire, the mysteries of the psyche and the great beyond, whilst the insistent thrum and blossoming chorus of ‘Who Are You’ carries deepening reflections on identity.
On all fronts, an exquisitely expansive and agile vision of folk’s potential takes sure shape, with enough space, flexibility and poetry in the melodies and lyrics to let the listener in. Wherever HORRSE’s journey leads, these first steps serve loving notice of a bold, brilliant newcomer’s arrival.
The overarching theme of the Crossing is EP also explores the transformative sense of liberating oneself from the the past to make room for the future. Speaking about the project as a whole, Ragnar Finsson a.k.a. HORRSE says, “‘I set out to learn some things about myself, the world, and my place in it, but in making Crossing I’ve learned more than I could have ever wished for.”
Delving deeper into the cathartic and collaborative process of producing this EP, Ragnar adds… “Writing music, making art, and expressing yourself together with other people is a magical thing, and a powerful tool to help us put things into perspective and, if necessary, let go. This EP is the result of a lot of people coming together with their own individual strengths and good intentions, and we hope that through Crossing we can pass at least some of it on to you.”
Drawing on a background that includes time in a punk covers band, session work, “jazz-ish” guitar studies and – ultimately – a steady gravitation towards rootsier sounds (Irish/Appalachian folk, Americana, blues), Finsson finds ways to connect with a natural dexterity right across this debut offering.
Ultimately HORRSE’s music sparks a connection with a universal audience, as Finsson explains.., “Even though I’m a folk guy, I want to create and not just preserve. I want actual humans to connect with my music, whether they’re folkies or not.”
The ‘Crossing’ EP by HORRSE is out now via Tutl Records here.
