We did write about ‘The Sparrow’ back in early May, as we celebrated the release of Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends’ overarching album ‘The King and the Sparrow’. The record is an obscure, nostalgic standout, a visionary body of work immersed in old Swedish folklore and rural imagery. Such evocative songwriting is then drenched in folk and rock musical territories, the perfect match for Alien Friends’ malleable, retro-flavoured vocals.
Today, we are bringing ‘The Hag’ to your attention. Taken from the aforementioned album, the song represents one of the most kinetic and bold episodes in ‘The King and the Sparrow’, a nugget of new-wave inspired flair that feels less traditional than other tracks on the same record. Yet, its lyrical component is equally magical and grounded.
Delving deeper into the lyrical ethos that propels the record, Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends explain: “This tune, ‘The Hag’, is a cover of sorts. The middle section of the song was written in 1834 by Swedish writer and composer Carl Jonas Love Almqvist. The lyrics are rather interpreted than translated from Swedish, but the outline of the story about a woman burned at the stake on the accusation of witchcraft, which is true to the original.” We love the mystery and otherworldly allure around the piece; it makes for a truly vibrant listening experience.
Recommended! Discover ‘The Hag’ now: