Premiere: Horsehead Embrace The Melodic Beauty Of Synchronicity On “11:11”
Next month, beloved Americana band Horsehead make their grand return to the local scene with the release of their new album, Sundogs Dancing In The Early Morning Light. Their seventh record in their lengthy catalog, this release comes nearly five years after their last record, Pageant Wave in 2018, which marks the end of the longest gap between records since the electric quartet first won over our ears in 2006 with their aptly-titled debut Record Of The Year. To celebrate their momentous return, the band has been steadily releasing singles this year, with “S.S.O.M.O.” as a standalone single in February and then “Quitter” and “Grains Of Sand” as official previews of the new record. This Friday, the band will release the third single from their new record: “11:11,” an exuberant rock track that commemorates the casual coincidences that surround our everyday life. With trademark Horsehead vigor and a charming melody, the song is a testament to the buoyant energy that has kept Horsehead ringing in our ears for the past 17 years. We here at The Auricular are proud to premiere “11:11” today with an exclusive stream as well as a breakdown as to what makes this song so irresistible.
“11:11” is a rollicking Americana song that captures the essence of carefree daydreaming in the wake of coincidental time and placement. Jangly notes open the song up with a carefree spirit before a swaying tempo and breezy electric riff stroll in, giving the song playful energy and direct meaning. As the song continues to open up, a piano line joins the fray helping to create a vibrant landscape that amplifies the carefree spirit of the song, with wide-eyed perception and sincere gratitude. It’s a song that makes you sway to the beat before the infectious chorus rolls in compelling you to join in on the airy mantra.
Lyrically, the song explores the beauty and opportunity that those two parallel lines offer us twice a day. This isn’t exactly a side-step into dense numerology or cryptic parapsychology. It’s instead a celebration of those little moments in life, where we glance at the time, see a simplistic pattern, close our eyes, and make a wish. (And remember, you can’t say what it is or it won’t come true.) The song is the perfect soundtrack to that moment, inviting us to close our eyes alongside the band as they fill our ears with euphoric harmonies and rousing instruments while we make our wish.
There’s a longing behind these carefree melodies too, a yearning for something more, a better connection or just simply more time to spend with the ones you love. It offers a nice contrast to the song, but one that doesn’t dwell on that longing. The band keeps its gaze locked forward, looking for the next opportunity to make it all worthwhile once more.
Top-to-bottom, “11:11” is an enthusiastic stroll through harmony and fantasy, encapsulating the joy of connection and the boundless possibilities that exist beyond our immediate reality. Who knows? Maybe one of these days, that wish right before lunchtime or right before bed will come through. But even if it doesn’t, it’s nice to always leave something out there to reach for so we can continue to better our relationships and further explore the joy in life. It takes a band like Horsehead to bring us this type of musical insight through a breezy track, and “11:11” is a perfect reminder of all the inspiration and guidance the band can still impart to us through their expressive sound and shining vision.
“11:11” will be released to all streaming platforms on Friday, May 12th. You can pre-save the song now by clicking this link. To pre-order Sundogs Dancing In The Early Morning Light digitally or on vinyl, click here.
