i love surprises! earlier this month, Hero Magnus released a new single: “Again & Again”. at the time, i was totally naive to Magnus and her music. as a newcomer to the CT music scene (she moved to the state earlier in the year), i hadn’t gotten a chance to see her perform around town. so maybe you’re like me? maybe you also missed that show she played with mandala? if so, lucky you. you’re in for a surprise.
“Again & Again” is a beautiful, rare gem of a song. starting with scarcely more than Magnus’s vocals, the song rises and falls in both volume and tempo. give it a listen, and you’ll notice how those dynamics mirror the lyrics, which cut deep. what i love most about the song, however, is the attention-to-detail: every note feels needed, like it was carefully considered.
earlier songs and demos by Magnus reflect similar values: a light, careful touch that belies a deep, wise soul. her songs bridge the gap between early 00’s adult alternative (like Ingrid Michaelson) and more modern indie pop (like Mitski or Regina Spektor). and this, dear readers, is why you don’t make your “best of 2019” lists at the end of november / beginning of december. “Again & Again” is easily one of my favorite CT songs of the year.
