The Walrus - Music With Big Fuckin' Teeth!

04/14/2008

The Somber, Haunted Sounds of Horen

Horen is a UK singer with a classic deep voice and minimalist musical arrangements in the vain of early Belle and Sebastian. Although he is about to release his first album, Sprechen Die, which is also good, I was drawn more to his demo songs "Evil Statesman" and "Let's Make Some Progress." Perhaps it's because of the former's timely, satirical nature and the latter's plead for positivity, or maybe because of their instantly likable melodies. In either case, he sings with a great sadness, like a deadpan Ian McCulloch or an old man who has lost his job, drinks too much whiskey and struggles to stay afloat in a world that he sees as backwards and misconstrued. I find it all very comforting in an odd way.

Download more demos and pre-order his first full-length via his official website.