“Black Dog” by Fenixar is proof that music can be used to deliver fantastical stories with poetic, emotional undertones. Musically, the percussion and bass work together for a moderate sway, and the guitars tend to be a bit sparse, jumping in and out as they fit in the music. Overall, there’s a bit of simplicity in the instrumentation, which gives more focus on the vocals. It delivers an indie pop-rock sound that comes across in a way that stimulates deep thought.
The guitar intro to this track is sweet and soft, and it plays well with the laid-back pacing, as it still leaves room for the energy to build and fade, even though things never get too rushed. The first verse establishes a focus on the vocals in the mix, though they stray from being intrusive and still allow the full range of instrumentation to be heard. The chorus, then, provides a great pickup, which gives the instrumentals a bit more prominence. Additionally, there are instrumental portions where guitar leads shine strikingly. The track structure allows the chorus to jump out three times, which provides catchiness and replayability.
Lyrically, this track tells a metaphorical tale of living with depression, which is represented by the black dog. “Oh, black dog, won’t you set me free? / From the chains of darkness, haunting me,” the chorus starts. Other lyrics mention a wrestle with pain and fear that comes in the nighttime. The imagery in “Black Dog” is so vivid that it feels like a short story set to music. It can be read at face value, but there are also so many lines to be read between. There’s so much to it that it could be a fun project to examine line by line.
Written by Sage Plapp
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