Desert Man – Love Kills (2025)
With over 16 albums, extensive international touring, and a Grammy award nomination, Desert Man is the latest project from renowned artist and producer Sebastian Gäbel. Hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, Desert Man is Gäbel taking the other side of the forked road into a realm of psychedelic rock laced with shimmers of indie-rock, indie-pop and vintage vibes, making you float off into that realm where only music makes sense. Join us as we delve into his single, ‘Love Kills’.
Unlike singles like ‘Penelope’, Desert Man’s ‘Love Kills’ showcases another side to the musician’s multi-faceted musicality. Instead of leaning toward a heavier rock vibe as in ‘Penelope’, ‘Love Kills’ binds a thread of indie-folk with lighter, almost soft rock in a soothing, calm, and mellifluous melody. Taken from the debut EP of the same name, the track is a breath of refreshing air amidst the five tracks in its softer, smoother, laid-back soundscape.
Penned during his time in California, ‘Love Kills’ was recorded and produced at Kristian Nord’s studio, The California Music Studio. Oddly enough, I find there is a correlation in the summery vibes of the California coastline and the chilled-out vibe of the track; however, within the refreshing concoction of Andres Renteria’s percussion, Jakob Kiersch’s drums, and Sebastian Gäbel’s guitar, a sliver of European tongue-in-cheek sarcasm juxtaposes the beach-ready arrangement.
Light-hearted and charming with wry wit oozing from the lyricism, ‘Love Kills’ is not a ballad of enduring romance, but an intricate exposition of the impossibility of true love. Instead of holding love up as a shining beacon of light, the single “…dissects popular beliefs and societal tropes… by turning them upside down.” Think about it, even the title leans toward the less-than-hopeful tragedy that is love – Desert Man sings: “…only a biochemistry and electricity in your brain /love is a drug that helps you get through the day /then again, so does crystal meth.”
So, what are my thoughts on the song? Raw, honest, and something like that guy who hands you a mouldy sandwich instead of the beautiful tuna mayo you ordered with a smile on his face, ‘Love Kills’ is a summer banger that is not to be taken lightly. I am eager to work through Desert Man’s EP and hope you join me.
Find out more about Desert Man on his official website, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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