Bartees Strange | Mustang (single)

Tommy

it’s really fitting that this has started to become a breakout song for Bartees - it buzzes with nervous energy and really forcefully explores and abstracts the radical possibility of visibility, and generally being seen and how to meet those moments. for my money, Bartees is one of the most exciting and singular voices in the indie rock world right now, an occasion he meets with a “mouth full of blood”.

Sean

Mustang is a track that will not quit. Bartees Strange has given us a furious unrelenting emotional rocking tune. Throughout its nearly four minute runtime it is an unrelenting onslaught of strumming, drums, and synths, but mostly the drums. It’s impressive that a song with many diverse layers can still be so percussive. It never gets muddied, or lost. It has a clear goal in mind and it gets there with the pedal to the floor. 

Dillon

New single “Mustang” from Bartees Strange, an artist who’s previously provided us several interesting variations of songs (“covers” doesn’t do Bartees Strange justice) from my personal favorite Ohio red wine rockers the National, is a not-unexpected, but still refreshing evolution. This is a track and an artist that knows how to build complexity and variety without discord or disjointedness. The way “Mustang” builds from the quiet and lonesomely delivered vocal opening through to the cacophonous and shouted close is done almost like a magician’s sleight of hand leaving you wondering how Bartees Strange brought the emotions of this song to a boil without you noticing. Can’t wait for more from this artist.  

Greg

oh HELL yeah. It’s such a powerful statement for vocals to not only compliment a complex backdrop but uplift the sound entirely. Right around the 3 minute mark, Bartees Strange really hits his stride in a defiant call of “Could I be?”. A brand new fan for you Bartees? That I be.