The Hornbook: A Modern Day Musical Epic

Gus Englehorn is a force to be reckoned with, whether that be on his beloved snowboard or in the studio. 

A strong statement, don't I know it - but I believe it.

Every so often, as you delve into the depths of your preferred streaming app, you'll find a diamond, much like in Minecraft (just substitute the streaming app with a cave filled with creepers). 

Apologies, trigger warning: annoying Gen Z analogy.

It's difficult to categorise this album into a specific genre, so I'll tell you this: The Hornbook is a nine-track epic which is fantastical in nature, intrinsically indie folk with litterings of an eerie industrial twang. At some times, it can crank the volume and release Englehorn's inner punk, and at others, it feels like a time capsule to a local classic rock band's show in the '70s - not quite arena rock, but the passion is there. 

As is the case with any album, some tracks stand out over others. 

Thyme has an opening riff that is reminiscent of '70s classic rock, yet midwestern at heart, with its spoken-word vocals. Not to mention, The Itch sounds like a '7 from the '80s/'90s roster of beloved indie label Sub Pop. Metal rears its ugly head on the aptly named Metal Detector and One Eyed Jack Pt. III (Epilogue) is just fucking sick, to be frank.

Check him out here.