In the second half of October, Danish songwriter Jacob Faurholt released his new self-titled album. I don’t usually pay much attention to the list of an artist’s stated influences, but this time it caught my eye – among them were some of my all-time favorites: Damien Jurado, Sophia, and Sparklehorse. I thought to myself – this can’t be a bad record – and luckily, I was right.
Based in the city of Horsens, which I only knew from football maps, Faurholt has had quite a prolific career. He began writing songs in the late ’90s, has released twelve solo records along with several side projects, and has toured across Europe and the U.S. West Coast, sharing stages with Car Seat Headrest and The Black Heart Procession.
On his new self-titled album, Faurholt strips everything down to the bone. The record runs under 25 minutes – a perfect length for its stripped-back, intimate nature. It opens with “It’s the End of the World,” which, despite its bleak title and lyrical tone, carries a surprisingly warm and comforting atmosphere. It’s a minimalist piece built around guitar and voice, with a lo-fi synth that adds a gentle glow reminiscent of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone.
“Take Flight” slows the pace and deepens the mood with a darker, more emotional melody – it struck me right away, and I replayed it several times during my first listen. There’s a touch of Sophia in its restrained sadness and emotional weight. “Scary Tales” brings in lo-fi drum machine beats and a burst of energy, while “Vampires” calms things down again. The final minute of Vampires is especially beautiful, as Jacob’s voice intertwines with that of his wife Nadia, creating a haunting, almost ambient feel.
The second half begins with the moving “Lost in the Fire,” built on a sparse electric guitar line and carried by a fragile yet unforgettable chorus. Again, Nadia’s backing vocals add warmth and depth. The next track, “I’m Afraid,” is the album’s longest and most instrumentally layered song, featuring a great vocal melody and subtle rhythmic pulse. But the closing “Painfully Alone” stands out as the emotional highlight – its combination of fragile lo-fi synths, a gentle female harmony, and melancholy tone immediately brought Daniel Johnston to mind.
Jacob Faurholt is a beautifully melancholic slowcore record. Within its genre, it stands out as a powerful and affecting work. With its sparse instrumentation and raw sincerity, it evokes the fragile intimacy of Damien Jurado’s finest albums.
This album was discovered via Submit Hub
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