Photo by Elizabeth De La Piedra

In the case of Bartees Strange, “Too Much” is a good thing when it comes to his creative pursuits. The album opener off the indie rock polymath’s forthcoming and third full-length album, Horror, is described as being the “sonic thesis” for the listen. That’s highly promising, especially for anyone who felt 2022’s Farm to Table felt a little undernourished and lacking in genre-mutating moves likes his 2020 breakthrough debut Live Forever did when it catapulted him unto the acclaimed. You could argue the quick burst thoughts circulating through stretches of neon guitars and an R&B sizzle reel hinge on overwhelming the synapses, but then again, Strange is like a sponge soaking in that stimulating energy into his fret finesse. He’s letting those feelings wash through him rather than crush him into collapse, but even his flirtation with letting it crash down is a thrilling scene.

Directed by: Caity Arthur

Bartees Strange’s Horror will be released February 14th on 4AD.