"I simply try to create music that feels organic..."
When it comes to music and fashion, the trends tend to circle back over time, but often with a contemporary twist. With his new EP ‘Eaten by Worms’, Swedish alt-pop artist Varas resurrects the effortless style of the late 90s and early 00s. Imagine the dark sadness of Portishead combined with the alt-rock vibes of Jean Dawson… Varas occupies that space. “Many melodies from that time resonate as the most natural to me,” he shares. “I just aim to create music that feels instinctive. Additionally, I appreciate the everyday attire that many bands used to sport. It was simple for a teenager to throw on a t-shirt and skinny jeans to connect with the music.”
Trends may shift, but Varas’s latest project suggests he’s an artist destined to endure. His new EP is both ambitious and confident, featuring literary allusions (including Anne Carson’s ‘Autobiography of Red’) alongside raw portrayals of various mental states (highlighted by his recent graphic music videos). The title track exudes a dystopian vibe, filled with haunting melodies, disorienting reverberations, and gasping breaths, serving as its centerpiece. ‘Bär Mig Ut’ features Varas singing in his mother tongue, allowing his lyrical delivery to become more “direct, rough, and unromantic”, while the soft closing track ‘My Lighter Weight’ showcases the full extent of his reflective artistry.
The sound throughout is equally impressive, crafted under the guidance of GRAMMY-nominated producer James Dring (Gorillaz, Lana Del Rey). Varas mentions that the collaborative aspect of the project has made it feel the most cohesive to him yet. “Working with others compelled me to clarify my goals,” he explains. “It prompted me to think about what sounds truly captivate me, which was vital in conveying my vision to fellow musicians.”
Inspired by N.E.R.D’s ‘Seeing Sounds’, along with the musical tastes of his mother and father, who performs on stage, Varas began playing guitar after being influenced by legends like Page and Hendrix, before discovering his passion for music production. “The enormous sound of an 808 felt like an expansion of reality,” he expresses excitedly. “Exporting my beats to my phone and listening to them on my way to school felt like a captured daydream.” While he relishes the bold energy of Stockholm's music scene, he is acutely aware of many challenges that creatives face both locally and globally. “I encounter many exhausted individuals working tirelessly just to get by,” he notes. “The entire grind mentality is one of the most damaging aspects we’ve adopted as creative individuals.”
Nevertheless, as ‘Eaten by Worms’ demonstrates, there remains a space for music to shine amidst the gloom. “Apart from feeling politically and morally disconnected, things have been relatively good,” Varas reflects. “What I take the most pride in with this EP is that I've finally made my family and close friends uncomfortable. They've inquired if I'm alright and why the visuals are so intense. Now it's time for some upbeat tracks!”
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Words: Jamie Wilde
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In the realms of music and fashion, trends from the past often resurface, albeit with a contemporary twist. His newest EP ‘Eaten by