This one is a real treat – a premiere for a new album! Jesus Christ, I can’t wipe enough sweat off my forehead. I’m far too excited. The name of this delightful project is Where Demons Hide, and it’s by Danish dark Americana band, Deerborn. It’s actually been four years since they released their debut, Crash And Burn, which received a tonne of critical acclaim and praise. So let’s see what they managed to culminate over the last four years. I’ll not break tradition and go track by track. Here we go.
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Figured Out
Figured Out kicks off Where Demons Hide with a slow-paced rock tune. We are immediately introduced to the vocals that will carry us throughout the album, and I feel like I’ve just been tucked into bed; pure and utter comfort. In short, this track is a perfect opener.
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You Better
Up next is You Better, and I won’t lie, the title is threatening. I feel a bit like a scolded child. You’d better eat those peas, Stephen! Gah, allow me to collect myself. In all seriousness, there is a sense of dread in this song, with the lyrics only compounding that feeling.
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Can’t Find My Way
The theme of this next one is evident within the title. It’s about being unable to find your way, and a sentiment we can all relate to at some point in our lives. This is my favourite on the album thus far. Spectacular.
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Where Demons Hide
The namesake of the album, Where Demons Hide is up next, and I feel like I want an answer as to where the demons are actually hiding, which is a ridiculous feeling to have. Deerborn are hardly going to open the song up with the lyric “they’re in the closet, mate”. No, Where Demons Hide is an incredibly dark track, opening with the line “there’s a faceless soldier on a violent spree” with the symbolism only escalating from there. This song is making a point, perhaps one that we aren’t comfortable with, but is very necessary nonetheless.
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Dance In Silence
The third track is Dance In Silence, which reminds me of a silent disco I once went to. I highly recommend it. Take your headphones off and watch those around you flail about to a song you can’t hear. It’s bloody hilarious. However, back to the track – it bursts into your ears in a welcome invasion of noise, giving you the idea that the tempo is gradually increasing.
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Paperkite
Things calm down slightly with Paperkite – an acoustic and guitar-led piece that talks of acknowledging the chaos that you’re in. It’s a song filled to the brim with lyrics that conjure up specific imagery, perhaps embracing the aforementioned disarray and living your best life despite it.
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Call Out My Name
Call Out My Name is a closer you’d expect at the end of a western movie; a breath at the end of a prolonged bout of intensity. Yet it still maintains that atmosphere Deerborn have established since Figured Out and keeps the momentum going.
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You’ve Been Bent
We’re at the penultimate track now. It’s one of the more blatant songs on Where Demons Hide, with everything within the tune pointing to it being a letter, of sorts, to a specific person. It’s a bit of a bitter track, giving the impression of a burnt-out relationship with someone who didn’t want to change for the better. I can certainly relate, and feel the weight of the words more on this one than any other on the album.
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Remember
So here we are, the finale! Remember opens with a scream, instantly giving us an idea as to what note they wish to leave us with, and it’s an intense banger. It demands your attention and leaves you wanting more. And isn’t that what all albums should do?
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With deep, intricate lyricism and incredible instrumentation, Where Demons Hide is one to check out for sure.
