By: Staff
As big fans of horsebread, we were thrilled to dive into their latest release, “ontherun.”
From the very first note, we felt an immediate, high-energy rush as if we’d hit the ground running. The song opens boldly, with vocals and instruments starting in sync, setting a captivating tone. The vocals, sung in a bright, resonant high-register falsetto, carry an ethereal clarity—delicate yet piercing. Paired with a similarly styled guitar accompaniment, the vocals gain even greater emphasis and distinction. Just those first few moments pack so much, filling your mind with emotion and thought. What we truly love about “ontherun” is its paradoxical effect: it feels like we’re starting in the middle, yet somehow it’s familiar, as if we’d heard it before, bringing a deep sense of comfort to the melody.
Drawn-out vocals pull you in, halting your non-auditory senses entirely so you can fully savor the beautiful vocal performance. Brief interludes highlight reverberations in the guitars and synths, which create a cosmic, ethereal quality, passing across your ears like shooting stars. About a third of the way in, the guitars rise to meet the vocals in volume, forming an intriguing duet between them, as if weaving in and out of the same space. Halfway through, there’s a thrilling sensation of acceleration—not from a tempo increase, but from syncopated drumbeats and guitar pulls, layered with a powerful distortion. This ingenious touch both heightens and confuses your senses, amplifying the song's immersive quality.
The vocals remain smooth and dreamy, with an almost reverse-cry effect: powerful, loud, and controlled, expressing something intense without pain. Near the end, the drums become hyperactive, nearly frantic. When the guitars and vocals rejoin, it feels as though the song has reached its emotional zenith, with nothing left unsaid. The song closes with an evocative echo, adding a touch of drama and introspective weight.
The engineering on “ontherun” is exceptional, brimming with purposeful “imperfections” that reflect the song’s frenzied emotional state. The intensity and near-disorienting tension are amplified by intentional distortion and fuzzy tones throughout the track. Interestingly, while the guitars and vocals remain clean, the surrounding sounds carry this fuzziness, allowing listeners to absorb the core elements with clarity. Once again, horsebread shines brightly, delivering a captivating and truly unconventional listening experience.
We highly recommend this latest release. Dive into “ontherun” and experience the electrifying artistry only horsebread can deliver. Stream it now on all major platforms!
A Powerful quote from the band:
“ ‘ontherun’ is our eighth release this year and is essentially a Radiohead B-side cross-pollinated with Muse and synth bass. This indie rock track features layered clean electric guitar lines, dynamic vocals, and a very chaotic rhythm. ‘ontherun’ is a track about addiction, coping, and the inevitable balance everyone has to find between the two. “
Check out this latest release and listen to more of horsebread on Spotify & YouTube.
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