We wrote about Ian Vargo a couple of months ago, celebrating ‘Surfboard’ as a “wonderfully delicate and nuanced single inspired by nostalgic and timeless power-pop influences”. Well, the mood was decisively playful and light back then, a character that’s precisely opposite to Vargo’s newest offering, ‘The South Shall Rise Again’. We don’t blame Ian for the sudden shifts in mood; this is a chaotic world, and as an American citizen, Vargo is especially sensitive to the ever-flaming cultural landscape.
Leaving surfboards and beaches behind, the talented producer and songwriter shines a light on the southern slice of the US and the nostalgic sentiment involving Confederate flags and ideas. Using a prominent southern catchphrase as its title, ‘The South Shall Rise Again’ is a no-holds-barred, all-out indie-rock anthem, making Vargo’s sentiment towards Confederate culture very clear. From an aural perspective, fierce guitars and electrifying yet decadent guitars are the perfect match for such an unapologetic message.
Doubling down on the inspiration behind the song, Ian explains: “I’ve lived all over the United States, and the South is by far filled with the most ignorance. It’s not uncommon here to see a Confederate flag bumper sticker, or even one flying on someone’s property. Confederate monuments should all be taken down — in the meantime, they’re nothing more than large public toilets, and this song is a middle finger to them.”
Recommended! Discover ‘The South Shall Rise Again’ on Spotify:
