WATCHING THE TAPE: Bartees Strange - Horror
2025 • 4AD • INDIE ROCK / RAP / SOUL / GRUNGE / POP / EMO
Bartees Leon Cox Jr., better known as Bartees Strange, is a rare talent who defies musical boundaries. His sound is a kaleidoscope of genres—folk, emo, R&B, hip-hop, alternative rock, and electronic—woven together with raw emotion, personal storytelling, and unapologetic ambition. Since going solo in 2017, after his early days with the post-hardcore band Stay Inside, Bartees has crafted music that feels both deeply intimate and universally resonant. To me, he’s the songbird of a generation, blending styles and emotions in a way that’s as bold as it is beautiful.
Let me introduce myself—I’m Zack Venero, hoops writer for The Kings Herald and the voice behind Contrarian Corner. This column is an extension of what I’ve built at the Herald: a space to dive into the things I’m deeply passionate about—music, basketball, and the occasional (or not-so-occasional) hot take—all through my natural contrarian lens. I root for the underdog, my tastes often stray from the mainstream, and I’m equal parts studious, obsessive, and a little silly.
For this inaugural feature, I couldn’t think of a better subject than Bartees Strange. His latest record, Horror, dropped earlier this year, is a Tour de force in genre-melding and storytelling, and what I believe is lowkey a masterpiece. This record has all the swagger and ambition you’d expect from an artist constantly breaking new ground. and I’m here to unpack why he deserves far more recognition.
This review is part of Watching the Tape, a series that revisits underappreciated albums from earlier in the year.
With several EPs and two full-length albums under his belt, Bartees released, Horror, his third full length record in five years. When released back in February, the album made some waves, earning reviews from outlets like Pitchfork and Paste which were mostly just whelming, unfairly in my opinion. Scores were often average or slightly above, while others, in my opinion, missed the mark entirely. This is a record that truly reveals its depth over multiple listens, with some of its subtlety potentially overlooked on initial impressions.
While it didn’t get a ton of coverage from major outlets, it did get a spotlight moment with an NPR Tiny Desk performance that was, in a word, incredible. Oh, and let’s not forget his appearance on Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney!
Horror builds on the genre-hopping foundation of Bartees’ earlier work, pushing the boundaries of his signature style even further.
Voice? Check.
Bops? Check.
Earnest grind and dedication to the craft? Big check.
Released back in February, the album made some waves, earning reviews from outlets like Pitchfork and Paste which were mostly just whelming, unfairly in my opinion.. While it didn’t get a ton of coverage from major outlets, it did get a spotlight moment with an NPR Tiny Desk performance that was, in a word, incredible. Oh, and let’s not forget his appearance on Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney!
Highlight Reel
1. Too Much
The album kicks off with "Too Much," a track that blends a sweet melody, a catchy chorus, and a smooth grip of bars. The lyrics are vulnerable and relatable, touching on insecurity and feelings of unworthiness:
"I’m gonna show you, baby, I don’t need much
It’s like you’re too much to hold, it’s like you’re heaven to touch
And all these reasons for why I can’t be loved
That’s why somebody should hold me down to the earth."
"Too much to hold" is a relatively complex song about the apple of someone's eye. They’re completely captivated by another—their sheer beauty is so overwhelming that it creates a paradox of love: the same person who brings joy can also bring emotional overload.
The track also hints at OG parental guidance and surprising bravado. Lines like "I ain’t really at it for the crib, I was always at it for the kill" show Bartees’ ambition. He’s not here for complacency or domestic goals—he’s on the rise and coming for people’s spots.
3. Sober
The most popular track on the record, "Sober," is a sonic blast from the past. I can’t help but hear Lindsey Buckingham’s influence in the riffs, especially in the outro. It’s a nod to the underrated shredder and the simplicity of his strong constructions in Fleetwood Mac.
4. Baltimore
One of my personal favorites, "Baltimore," is a stunningly simple and beautiful track. The lyrics are more straightforward, reflecting on lives that could have been shaped by different cities and lifestyles:
Musically, the bass takes center stage, guiding the listener on a geographic odyssey. Lines like "I envision a house with cobblestone" evoke a dream of a Toronto lifestyle, while the outro’s majestic shredding and steel guitar textures add a country/folk vibe that Bartees is known for.
7. Lovers
Lovers is hands down my favorite track on the record, drawing clear inspiration from the electronic influences of Bartee's favorite and indie vets, TV on the Radio.
Hey, I’ve got a video of Bartees killing it live in my hometown of ATL earlier this year!
This synth-heavy, dark track leans into the album’s title, Horror, with voice distortion that makes Bartees sound like a ghoul (in the best way). It’s a fun story about two lovers who start cas’ but catch feelings—a tale as old as time, but perfect for any indie sleaze playlist.
8. Doomsday Buttercup
A literal and figurative journey, this track is about the open road, consumption, and intimacy. It’s simple, sexy, and a nice reprieve from the higher-tempo tracks, adding balance to the record.
9. 17 starts as a sweet country ballad but builds into something heavier, both lyrically and sonically. The bridge hits hard with lines like:
"You ain’t wrong to go that way
What I’d give to make you stay
Not for nothin’
Imma be your babe
Curled up with you is when I feel safe."
It’s relatable—acknowledging someone’s need to move on while selfishly wanting them to stay. Beyond the relationship dynamics, the song also explores racial alienation and the struggle to find one’s identity, making it one of the album’s most poignant tracks.
10. Loop Defenders
Drugs, sex, and basketball— literally a line from the song, nuff said! This track is a seamless blend of funk, indie, and hip-hop, dripping with earnestness and raw emotion.
12. Backseat Baton
The album closes with "Backseat Baton," a folk-rock anthem about taking control after a period of complacency. It’s optimistic, reflecting on grabbing the wheel despite adversity and the unknown.
Huddle Up
Bartees Strange’s latest record is a bold, progressive slam dunk, showcasing his signature blend of genre-melding, storytelling, and ambition. It’s raw, heartfelt, and deeply personal, with each track bringing something fresh to the table. My hope is that this leaves you even a little curious to give it a spin. Maybe you’ll catch the same subtleties and tenderness I’ve been hearing—or vibe with the bold riffs, bars, and bass lines. At the end of the day, I just want my dude to get the flowers he so deserves.
NBA COMP: 2001 RASHEED WALLACE
Versatile, ambitious, and unapologetically authentic. Ball don’t lie.