Hans Arsen marks his debut with a compelling full-length album: a 13-track exploration that sees him taking the reins as producer, writer, and vocalist.
From the opening track, Voices in My Head, listeners are introduced to the core themes that resonate throughout the album—a minimalist, raw production aesthetic paired with introspective lyrics, sparse instrumentation, and a delicate yet visceral energy. Each track builds upon this foundation, creating a cohesive yet varied sonic narrative.
In Ketch, abstract pitched vocal manipulations serve as an alter ego for Hans, weaving in and out of his real voice. This interplay creates a dynamic narrative tension, blurring the boundaries between identities and serving as an arresting example of the album’s ability to balance experimental soundscapes with deeply personal storytelling. Nah maintains the journey’s momentum with its deep low-end textures and a more melodic vocal approach, complemented by a spectral digital guitar that echoes some ‘90s trip-hop.
Old drifts between Memphis and Paris, while the Congolese-English interlude ITICTIC leads into the delicate dembow ballad Saudade, blending Congolese and Portuguese lyrics. Then we have the doublet Casper, where the ghost in question is definitely more visceral than the one you remember from ‘90s TV. Nightmare and Frustration Flow are the most abstract and distorted moments of the record. As the record progresses, it softens with the tender melodies of Sucre and the morphing soundscapes of Smile for Me Again.
The closing track, Love Song, serves as a poignant bookend to the album. Sung in both English and Italian, it encapsulates the bittersweet tone that pervades the record, bringing its themes of longing, duality, and introspection to a moving resolution. With this debut, Hans Arsen presents a bold and multifaceted statement—an album that draws listeners into an intimate and deeply personal world.
Released
February 14, 2025
February 14, 2025
Written and produced by Hans Arsen.
Additional Mixing by Alessio Capovilla
Mastered by Nick Foglia.
Additional Mixing by Alessio Capovilla
Mastered by Nick Foglia.