We first came to know British-born, Oklahoma-raised, Washington, D.C.-based Bartees Strange at WFUV in 2020 with the release of his debut album, Live Forever. His mix of indie rock, synths, and powerful vocals made us take notice, but it was his 2022 album, Farm to Table, that really catapulted him to the next level. In a live show for WFUV marquee members that year, we learned what a special talent he is. Armed with a storyteller’s vision and a heartful disposition, Strange sang
tales of the human condition and made all of us in the room feel like we were in this life together.
Strange recently announced a new album produced in part by Jack Antonoff (who has worked with Taylor Swift, Lorde, St. Vincent, and Fordham grad Lana Del Rey, among others). Due out in February, Horror is inspired by his experiences growing up Black and queer in Oklahoma.
“Sober,” the incredible new single from the album, is Strange at his best: honest, raw, and vulnerable. In his own words, “This song is about falling short in a relationship, over and over, and drinking because of it. Being in love but not being the best at showing it or feeling successful within it.” Falling musically somewhere between Fleetwood Mac and the War on Drugs, the song is a culmination of the immense talent Bartees Strange has shown in such a short period of time. I, for one, cannot wait to see where the new music takes this amazing musician and songwriter.
WFUV Discovery is a new music recommendation from Russ Borris, music director at WFUV (90.7 FM, wfuv.org), Fordham’s public media station.
