The Victim (Kenneth Nefling) has paid us a couple of visits previously. On both of them the tone was melancholic as he mulled over “sitting back after losing someone you loved, and about all the things you wish you had done differently when the opportunity was there” on the first one, ‘Ghost House’ (albeit to a lively catchy tune) and on the second, ‘Carry on’, ruminated on how to prepare for the death of a parent.
So I was glad to read that on this new single, ‘Walls’, the second from a forthcoming and fourth EP that will drop early in 2025, that it has more upbeat notes and a slightly more hopeful vibe.
‘Walls’ isn’t about building one, or knocking one down, or finding they magically appear between you and your partner but rather a declaration of love about finding a person who protects their heart (a sort of passive wall) and who needs time to let love unfold.
He says, “For a period of time, I needed to get The Victim at a distance, as I had the idea that only sad songs could exist in that universe. But after a long period without new songs and without concerts, the inspiration and desire to revive The Victim came.”
He adds, “‘Walls’ is the first song I set out to write, and quite automatically it became less depressing and more uplifting than what I have done before. It felt very liberating. All in all, The Victim is probably just in a better place in life than what has previously been the case.”
The catchphrase comes in the verse:
“Brick by brick and stone by stone/I will tear down your walls.”
I’ve previously considered The Victim to be an alt-pop merchant but here the opening section of the song takes on more of the inherent sadness of a country and western number.
But then just over half way through it takes on a different aspect again courtesy of a sudden flurry of lively instrumentation – guitars and synthesisers by the sound of it – which could signify something as dramatic as the final blows that brought down the Berlin Wall. Then you know he’s found a way to that heart.
An intriguing artist with the ability to approach a romantic conundrum from a different angle.
Find him on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevictimofdenmark
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevictim_official/
