Based in the Midwest, Eric Hagen’s well-rooted sound rings with perplexing authenticity, suggesting he illegally phone-tapped into the wellspring at the heart of all timeless classics. Often praised for his powerful voice, he can infuse a modern story with gospel-like depth. Hagen’s music is a heartfelt ode to the timeless dance between joy and sorrow wrapped in the faded splendor of a bygone era. His performances are like vintage postcards, each a snapshot of a wistful journey through a land where the echoes of heartache linger in the dusty corners of forgotten jukeboxes.
Moving soul meets twangy bliss on Hagen’s new single, “Accuse Me.” The Southern soul influences are evident from the jump as the artist’s bluesy tones are greeted at the door with soaring vocal runs. This acrobatic vocal performance showcases Hagen’s range while allowing the artist to move in a new, exciting direction. Blaring horns create a fusion dance with the thudding drums to paint a vivid and nostalgic portrait of Hagen’s influences, but this is far from an amalgamation of tropes. Hagen’s undeniable vocals drive this stunning performance as the artist fearlessly enters new territory with a toothy grin. The longing in this vocal performance only makes the emotional songwriting more palpable, as the troubadour-style storytelling brings the whole performance to life. Hagen’s “Accuse Me” is a soulful, bluesy ballad that separates the artist from his peers while proving the artist is far from done evolving.
“I really took a leap with ‘Accuse Me,’ explains Hageen. “It’s a bit of a departure from my previous sound, but I can no longer ignore my love for the soul sound. I thought about Chris Stapleton singing a Marcus King song and recording it at STAX. And I came up with Country Soul.”
