dePresno - “Emotional Punching Bag”
Photo: Synne S.B. Bønes
Though we’ve heard the phrase a million times, dePresno is the first artist that we know of to turn “Emotional Punching Bag” into a song. Although… since we mostly only have time to listen to the songs that are submitted to the blog, it is quite possible that we have missed a couple. In any case, the focus here is on dePresno, and you really need to hear this one.
This is the first we’re hearing from this Norway-based singer-songwriter, but we have a feeling that it will not be the last time he is featured on the blog. “Emotional Punching Bag” checks off many of our boxes when searching for the right indie folk song. First, there is no autotune here. The vocals begin immediately and they are so rich, confident, and clear that you will swear they are being sung right next you. It’s like a melodious, one-sided conversation with someone about “the need to be there for your loved ones.” Secondly, the sparseness of the instrumentation– at the beginning, we’ve just the acoustic guitar and a synth pad to fill the space inside of our headphones, but the result is extremely heartfelt and melancholic (which also happens to be on our list of folksy prerequisites).
As the song continues, the elements populate the recording and the entire production lifts dramatically. “Emotional Punching Bag” even contains a bridge, which many artists seem to forgo altogether these days. There is so much sensational energy occurring here as dePresno begs the listener to unload all of their burdens onto the weight of his shoulders that some will find this song much more effective than their usual methods of emotional purging– cheaper as well, since it only costs the press of a play button.
By the time the tastefully genre-appropriate guitar solo arrives, you might find yourself wondering if there are any other dePresno songs that will move you in the same manner that this one has. We can help you with that: “Loser in the Night” is another track that is available on all DSPs and within it you will find the same, perfect vocals and indie folk vibe, with a bit more of an upbeat production– plus, some steel guitar, which, again, checks off another box in our continuous quest for the perfect folksy escape.
You can find these dePresno songs and more on the artist’s Spotify, which we have conveniently provided below:
-TM