Bartees Strange discusses his bold and deeply introspective third studio album, ‘Horror,’ with Atwood Magazine. The album serves as a fearlessly genre-blurring journey that delves into personal anxieties, artistic growth, and the empowering nature of self-identity.
Stream: ‘Horror’ – Bartees Strange
"The monsters reside within us, and the only way out is to dive deeper into ourselves."
Bartees Strange has continuously defied conventions in his music. With his first two albums—2020’s ‘Live Forever’ and 2022’s ‘Farm to Table’—he created a unique niche where genre boundaries fade away, revealing something more profound, authentic, and reflective of his evolving artistry. His latest effort, ‘Horror,’ stands as his most audacious declaration: a raw examination of personal fears, creative aspirations, and the heavy burden of self-doubt. If ‘Live Forever’ served as an introduction and ‘Farm to Table’ depicted an artist in transition, then ‘Horror’ showcases Bartees Strange taking full control of his artistic vision, exploring new emotional and sonic frontiers.
The title ‘Horror’ does not refer to supernatural entities but rather to the haunting fears of insecurity, isolation, and artistic obscurity that plague Strange’s mind. Throughout the album’s expansive soundscape—intertwining Parliament-Funkadelic grooves with Fleetwood Mac richness, Isley Brothers riffs blended with Steely Dan's precision—he confronts these fears directly, transforming them into something potent. “It’s about confronting your fears and transforming into something formidable,” he shares with Atwood Magazine. However, ‘Horror’ extends beyond mere anxiety and insecurity; it acts as a declaration of self-identity, a bold assertion against doubt, and a claim of space in a music industry that frequently seeks to pigeonhole artists. At its core, ‘Horror’ embodies transformation, a theme articulated in both its lyrics and its sonic backdrop.
This internal struggle manifests across the album in thrilling and unexpected fashion. ‘Horror’ is akin to a sonic tightrope walk, balancing moments of profound vulnerability with assertive confidence, oscillating between intimacy and grandeur. “I aimed to create significant lows and towering highs—deeper and taller than I’ve achieved before,” Strange elaborates.
Tracks like “Too Much” burst with frenetic energy, seamlessly shifting through various genres in ways that feel both dizzying and thrilling. “It’s overwhelming,” he remarks about the track. "People describe me as a genre-bender, and I’m like, okay, let’s approach it this way.” In contrast, “Baltimore” captures the existential fatigue of attempting to establish a life in an ever-challenging world, while “Sober,” a highlight of the album and a former Atwood Magazine Editor’s Pick, presents a poignant exploration of emotional entrapment, with Strange grappling with a doomed relationship and its toll on his mental well-being. “It’s challenging to be sober; it’s tough to confront everything and just hold it,” he admits.
“It’s a true pandemic love story,” Strange recently conveyed to Atwood Magazine. “You can’t escape… you're stuck in an apartment together, trying to navigate feelings of being trapped in a situation you want to leave while attempting to cope through drinking… It’s hard to be sober, hard to just sit with it all.” As an anthemic tale for the emotionally troubled, “Sober” serves as an entry point into ‘Horror,’ encapsulating relatable sensations of angst and dread with remarkable precision.
Throughout this journey, Strange stays true to his principle of not being confined—musically, emotionally, or philosophically. “People frequently discuss genre as though it’s rigid barriers," he says. "But you can employ all these elements to narrate your story however you choose.” ‘Horror’ exemplifies this philosophy, demonstrating a commitment not just to stretch boundaries but to dismantle them entirely. Slated for release on Valentine’s Day—traditionally associated with sappy love ballads—the album instead challenges this norm, transforming personal reckoning into empowerment. If fear represents the ultimate immobilizer, ‘Horror’ stands as its remedy—demonstrating that fear can also liberate.
In a discussion with Atwood Magazine, Bartees Strange reflects on the fears that inspired ‘Horror,’ the creative risks that characterize his artistry, and the personal reckoning that drives his songwriting. From the reflective self-exploration in “17” and the affirmation of self in “Backseat Banton” to the ambitious sonic landscape of tracks like “Too Much” and “Lovers,” as well as the profound introspection of “Baltimore,” “Sober,” and the restless quest for belonging in “Lie 95,” the emotional peaks and valleys of his most daring album are examined. He discusses his genre-defying methodology, his growth as both an artist and producer, and the
Bartees Strange discusses his bold and deeply introspective third studio album, ‘Horror,’ with Atwood Magazine. This album offers an adventurous, genre-defying journey that explores personal fears, artistic growth, and the freeing essence of self-definition.
