Move over, cookie-cutter pop! Dutch dynamo Harry Kappen is back—and this time he’s served up his fourth LP, Four with enough eclectic flavors to make your head spin (in a good way). This album is like that indie film you didn’t know you needed: a mix of guitar-driven rock, jazzy ballads, and Latin rhythms that simultaneously make you laugh, cry, and question your life choices.
Right from the opening salvo in “The Longing,” Kappen sets the tone with a heart-vs-brain tug-of-war that’s as delightfully over-the-top as it is emotionally charged. And who could forget “Be Brave if You Can”? It’s practically a pep talk wrapped in a semi-ballad with a sprinkling of na-na-na choruses—because nothing says “live fully” like a musical rendition of ignoring everyone’s unsolicited advice.
Then there’s “Courage,” a love song so sincere it almost feels like a rom-com montage, complete with an eagle spreading its wings (yes, really). Kappen’s playful tribute to his Mexican wife and his bittersweet move across the Atlantic is equal parts tender and tongue-in-cheek. It’s as if he’s saying, “I’m aging faster than a vinyl record in the sun, but honey, our love is timeless.”
Not to be outdone, “Break These Chains” takes on modern misinformation with the subtlety of a sledgehammer—because nothing fixes the world like blasting it with rock anthems. And just when you think the ride might be over, Kappen pulls out “Chasing Rabbits,” a pop-country escapade that leaves you wondering if the secret to happiness might just be a dog’s carefree pursuit of every odd little distraction.
Throughout Four, Harry Kappen doesn’t just deliver catchy tunes and witty lyrics; he invites us to embrace life’s rollercoaster of emotions with a spirited blend of humor and heart. Like a masterful storyteller with a knack for self-aware quips, he reminds us that in the midst of uncertainty, sometimes you’ve just got to dance in the chaos.
In short, if you’re in the mood for an album that’s equal parts incisive and irreverent, Four is your go-to jam. It’s sarcastic, it’s funny, and it’s downright uplifting—proving that sometimes the best way to navigate life’s turbulence is with a wink, a smile, and a whole lot of rock ‘n’ roll.
