Photo by Jennifer West
“Tar & Feathers” is a piano-driven ballad of hope and release – the video was filmed in black and white a couple of weeks ago in the candle-lighted living room of one of the band members while a blizzard was raging outside.
In recent years the Swedish singer-songwriter and Bob Dylan interpreter Vargen has carved a reputation for infusing his music with both mystery and raw emotions.
Vargen’s previous albums have firmly established his presence in the spotlight. His acclaimed renditions of Bob Dylan’s songs in both Swedish and English, along with his unique takes on the works of Swedish poet Dan Andersson, have garnered widespread recognition.
This time around Vargen takes a step away from interpretations and instead debuts with original songs on an eponymous album. An album which makes it clear that his ability to capture and convey emotions musically, whether joyful or melancholic, remains as sharp and powerful as ever.
Through 9 tracks the album takes the listener on a ride with among many others the playful and lounge-inspired Toxicon that invokes the sensation of strolling down the catwalk, the Nick Cave-esque The Bullfighter, bluesy and rock-infused Easter Soul – a song about reluctantly taking one for the team, playing the victim or becoming the scapegoat – and Them Cats – which features a guest appearance by Swedish guitar legend Jojje Wadenius.
Concealed beneath the moniker is Reine Johansson’s skill, an artist with origins in the rock and punk domains, who shares the inspiration behind the album here:
”Our minds associate, connect and draw conclusions. It was when people, times, places – real or imagined – collide or combine that I found inspiration for many of the songs.” He continues ”I don’t really know how it happens. It might be a dream that lingers. It might be a memory or feeling that changes in an instant if put in a new light. Sometimes it’s just plain fiction.”
Vargen was released on November 10 digitally and on vinyl and CD via his own record label Vargen Records and is distributed by Border Music / Redeye.
Facebook: https://facebook.com/vargenmusic –
Instagram: https://instagram.com/vargenmusic
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/vargenmusic
SPOTIFY (Artist): https://open.spotify.com/artist/3sl00gQLFexX8tuanNfe9e?si=pd26_DKpTduQLcF_agpzwg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VargenMusic1/videos
VINYL / CD: https://www.bengans.com/shop?funk=gor_sokning&q=vargen
For those of us in America who are are not as familiar with Vargen’s body of work as his legions of European fans are, here’s a spot-on. amazing, awesome, slide-driven cover of Dylan’s “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” from three years ago, “…strike another match go start anew, it’s all over now, baby blue…”:
And here’s one I really like, as Swedish language cover of “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright”:
