Magic Boy, by Bartees Strange

Magic Boy

by Bartees Strange

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Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
We have limited stock on the tri-color variant of SAY GOODBYE TO PRETTY BOY LP in the United States. You may still place an order on this bundle from our UK fulfillment center. Bartees' artist-run store also has limited stock so check his website if it sells out on Bandcamp: store.barteesstrange.com

Sign up to our email list to be first to know about future vinyl releases or additional stock: mailchi.mp/brassland/landing

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This item is for both the MAGIC BOY mini-LP and SAY GOODBYE TO PRETTY BOY (tri-color). You will receive MAGIC BOY on either black in clear vinyl or on red & white swirl vinyl, depending on supplies. If you only want to order MAGIC BOY or SAY GOODBYE TO PRETTY BOY alone, find their individual listings elsewhere on this Bandcamp page. (Ordered alone each title is a bit more expensive.)

Includes unlimited streaming of Magic Boy via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. ... more

ships out within 7 days

edition of 2000 143 remaining

Purchasable with gift card

$50 USD or more
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Black in clear variant while supplies last. If you *also* want to order Bartees newly re-pressed SAY GOODBYE TO PRETTY BOY LP at the same time, find the separate listing on this same Bandcamp page, and receive a built-in discount.

Bartees' artist-run store also has limited stock so check his website if it sells out on Bandcamp: store.barteesstrange.com

Sign up to our email list to be first to know about future vinyl releases or additional stock: mailchi.mp/brassland/landing

Includes unlimited streaming of Magic Boy via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 7 days

edition of 1000 77 remaining

Purchasable with gift card

$27 USD or more
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Red and white swirl variant while supplies last. If you *also* want to order Bartees newly re-pressed SAY GOODBYE TO PRETTY BOY LP at the same time, find the separate listing on this same Bandcamp page, and receive a built-in discount.

Bartees' artist-run store also has limited stock so check his website if it sells out on Bandcamp: store.barteesstrange.com

Sign up to our email list to be first to know about future vinyl releases or additional stock: mailchi.mp/brassland/landing

Includes unlimited streaming of Magic Boy via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 7 days

edition of 1000 11 remaining

Purchasable with gift card

$27 USD or more
Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$8.99 USD or more

1.	IDK 03:22	lyrics	buy track
[Verse 1] Who is calling? Got me running 'round, catching feels Who's talking? Got me running 'round, without no wheels [Chorus] If I would have met you, I Wouldn't have worked no fields The lights they stay on, but Now you're soldiers still How come it seem like we never build? I been sleeping with lights on for weeks, an' I see ghosts still See ghosts still [Refrain] And I don't know why, no I don't know why, love No, I don't know why, I don't know why, love Is hard [Verse 2] By the end of the week, I need pick-me-ups Wagon wheels By morning I swear that my breath is cut Heart's been sealed How's it feel, when winding road runs on? I'm for real It's hard when you get grown [Chorus] If I would have met you, I Wouldn't have worked no fields The lights they stay on But am I your soldier still? How come it seem like we nеver build? I been sleeping with lights on for weeks, an' I can't see still I don't know where to go [Bridge] I'vе been holding them out and begging my peoples to pull me out this hole I don't want no love, I want a place to stay, somewhere to eat and a place that's home [Refrain] And I don't know why, I don't know why love is I don't know why, I don't know why love is I don't know why it's so hard [Verse 3] And what I'd do if someone ever came up on you Use my butane, I'd use my crew To do whatever I needed to Nothing sinks, nothing moves Ever since you came through [Outro] And I could tell why, I could tell why love is I could tell why, I could tell why love is I could tell why it's so hard
2.	Going Going 04:18	lyrics	buy track
[Verse 1] Some days you'd find us inside with the lantern on Blood on the doorstep, armor of God Eyes to the savior, the gun in my pocket Waiting for morning to come [Pre-Chorus] Come on down and get me Come on down and get me [Chorus] When you're gone, you're gone I can tell you'd always run Now you're gone, gone, gone [Verse 2] Black folks who dance, we were glad, on a tightrope The women who loved me whipped me with switches Out in them ditches, dodging tornadoes Hoping the cavalry come [Pre-Chorus] Come on down and get me Oh, come on down and get me Oh, just come on down and get me [Chorus] When you're gone, you're gone I can tell you'd always run Now you're gone, gone, gone [Verse 3] On a base far away I'm where it's hot in the morning sun There's a sense that I am still with the men and the pews Beneath Plymouth Rock [Outro] And you're gone, you're gone You're gone, oh, you're gone And you're gone, gone, gone Yee
3.	HAGS 03:32	lyrics	buy track
[Intro] "HAGS" take seven [Verse 1] Won't you say you'll need her? I've never been to a beach party I thought we would, if you would call me I know it's not the easiest way I'm on AIM for meet-ups Some days I wish that maybe you would try me I heard about your best friend, her name's Stacey I heard that she's just started dating Jay [Chorus] What's the problem? Why don't you wanna go? See, I can pick up all the pieces, I could build you a boat I'll roll the J's, I know you smoke, no, I ain't tried it before But I practiced so I could hang [Verse 2] I've been playing at meet-ups I got invited to a beach party I really hoped that it would be morе naughty I didn't know that you would be so lame I heard my [?] I got nervous I didn't realize that was a party Then I thought, "Well damn, that sure sounds gnarly" I thought that you were somebody you met [Chorus] What's the problem? Why don't you wanna go? See, I can pick up all the pieces, I could build you a boat I'll roll the J's, I know you smoke, no, I ain't tried it before But I practiced so I could hang [Outro] You know you can't turn the shower on without [?] HAGS That's good, that
4.	Best Of You - vinyl only 03:02	lyrics	buy track
[Verse 1] What else could I want? I want breathe without the pain I want things to go as planned for once I don't believe a thing I walk alone sometimes There's nights I don't look There's nights I just step into the street [Chorus] If I found the best in you then I'd know the way to get by Hell, I don't call enough, I'm having the time of my life I'd run away from here just to see the other side Don't wait, I'm headed out and I'll find the way [Verse 2] Kindness cuts in me Yes, I'm better now But there were times I'd jump in the deepest hall on the darkest nights I'd fought alone in a cold creek There's times that I needed a drink I'm so exhausted, I can't stand anyone [Chorus] If I found the best in you then I'd know the way to get by Hell, I don't call enough, I'm having the time of my life I'd run away from here just to see the other side Don't wait, I'm headed out, I'll find the way [Bridge] And your not honest I can see it in your eyes This is rewarding No time to watch your eye [Outro] If I found the best in you then I'd know the way to get by Yeah, I don't call enough, I'm having the time of my life I'd run away from here just to see the other side Don't wait, I'm headed out, I'll find the way
5.	Eat Your Heart Out - vinyl only 02:29	lyrics
[Refrain] Go eat your heart out I've got myself to blame Go eat your heart out I've got myself to blame Go eat your heart out I've got myself to blame, yeah, yeah Go eat your heart out I've got myself to blame, yeah Go eat your heart out I've got myself to blame Go eat your heart out I've got myself to blame [Outro] I will put my trust in you, Lord I will put my hope and love into your light I will still before your presence and sing for your [?] I will worship you in the valleys and your mountain tops I will put my trust in [?] I will trust in you
6.	You're Here (feat. Project Diem) - vinyl only 03:07	lyrics
[Verse 1: Bartees, & Bartees with Project Diem] Ezra lost a lot, but not like I have And still you can't deny me Now and again looking out into you Darling, oh, there's something about consistence and knowing what's coming [Pre-Chorus: Bartees, & Bartees with Project Diem] But I don't feel comforted I feel sorry [Chorus: Bartees, Project Diem, & Both] At least you know I'm here I keep walking between line Most diamonds don't shine until you blow Who's to say what is right? Comfort me in silence Oh, comfort me in silence But keep me if you dare [Verse 2: Bartees, & Bartees with Project Diem] Beyond the shattered knee And underneath my skin Dropping remnants for who I've been An anchor drops down and bounds me to thinking I'll never change again [Pre-Chorus: Bartees, & Bartees with Project Diem] And I don't feel comforted I'm sorry [Chorus: Bartees, Project Diem, & Both] At least you know I'm here I keep walking between line Most diamonds don't shine until you blow Who's to say what is right? Comfort me in silence Oh, comfort me in silence But keep me if you dare If you dare [Outro: Bartees, Project Diem, & Both] So finish me (Finish me) Just finish me (Finish me) So finish me It's war when you're here (It's war when you're here) It's war when you're near (It's war when you're near) It's war when you're here (It's war when you're here) It's war when you're here
7.	Count It Back - vinyl only 02:52	lyrics
[Verse 1] They're burning crosses from West Texas to Memphis I've seen 'em burning out there by the lake No-one gives a fuck when they up there burning They hit you later like "Ey blood, you okay?" [Verse 2] I call my mother every morning for power And if I didn't I'd have died a wreck I count it back so I could stay with my people Count it back so I could be there for me, oh [Chorus] Count it back, my friend There's a-way to many going I've seen, I've been so far you shouldn't have to go Where thеy at, your friends? There's too many that wе're mourning Outlast, my skin [Verse 3] We used to stay up late and whip that chorizo Smoking e'er before we hit the rep Now I see you when you hop out the Rigo Got a chevy now, you so select [Verse 4] I swear to God, you know about all my brothers I bet Diablo know my last name the best I count it back so I can be with my people I count it back so I could stay there for me, oh [Chorus] Count it back, my friend There's way too much been mourning I've seen, I've been, so far you shouldn't have to go Where they at, your friends? There's too many of us going Outlast my skin [Outro] He's got sunshine an', he's got big dreams It's hard to know how, he'll found his way If you've got some inclination You know right where I stay Put your shoes on and hammer the last Hard to walk tall, but you will be fine, oh Take your shots, boy, I got all the time, I know We'll find a ways out and you will be mine
8.	Get Over It (feat. Lizzie No) - vinyl only 01:58	lyrics
[Verse 1: Bartees] Though bygones is bygones, there's nothing that I can't remember Patience and virtue go off to the wind like embers If you let me down, I won't get over it If you let me down, I won't get over it [Verse 2: Lizzie No] Your shoulders like iron above this river, and hell's gate, red I gave no thought to the years I've been walking over and over and over and over your back I can get over it Over your back, I can get over it [Verse 3: Bartees, & Bartees with Lizzie No] I can't carry this no more, I'm struggling One more glass for the courage to find my way back To my dying hill If you let me down, I won't get over it If you let me down, I won't get over it
9.	Little Brother - vinyl only 03:40	lyrics
[Verse 1] Oh, we used to play Lion King And I got thrown off the bed I shouldn't have made you play those dark characters It's why I broke my wrist, my bad How we used to play on the rocks Every day after school you'd get sluts I would beg and plead why me, not him? I know I can take the males and walk [Chorus] And I wonder How far you'd go And I miss you Like I miss home Heard you called me And gave me love And I didn't pick up Didn't pick up the phone [Verse 2] You'd hold the grudge And I'd come home late You didn't drink much the, and I appreciate that you held the hair from her face I would always brag about your height How you would save the world some day Boy, you look like you done saved everyone Maybe I knew that you'd be safe [Chorus] And I wonder How far you'd go Boy, I miss you And, I miss home Did you find me? I'm in my hold I can't pick up I can't pick up the phone [Bridge] I can't pick up Can't pick up the phone I can't pick up Can't pick up the phone I can't pick up Can't pick up the phone I can't pick up Can't pick up the phone [Verse 3] And now that you've grown up I await my call And you know that things change but, after this time there's a few that don't change at all We've been brothers since were born Way before I knew you, you were You existed in my minds eye, in the dark spot in my brain And I miss you, my little brother
10.	Going Going (reprise) 04:55	lyrics	buy track
[Verse 1] Some days you'd find us inside with the lantern on Blood on the doorstep, armor of God Eyes to the savior, the gun in my pocket Waiting for morning to come [Pre-Chorus] Come on down and get me Come on down and get me [Chorus] When you're gone, you're gone I can tell you'd always run Now you're gone, gone, gone [Verse 2] Black folks who dance, we were glad, on a tightrope The women who loved me whipped me with switches Out in them ditches, dodging tornadoes Hoping the cavalry come [Pre-Chorus] Come on down and get me Oh, come on down and get me Oh, just come on down and get me [Chorus] When you're gone, you're gone I can tell you'd always run Now you're gone, gone, gone [Verse 3] On a base far away I'm where it's hot in the morning sun There's a sense that I am still with the men and the pews Beneath Plymouth Rock [Outro] And you're gone, you're gone You're gone, oh, you're gone And you're gone, gone, gone Yee

about

Bartees Strange has been one of the most significant indie artists to break out in the post-pandemic era. He debuted with SAY GOODBYE TO PRETTY BOY, an album length collection of The National songs released in March 2020, on the cusp of the pandemic. Later that year came his first album MUSTANG which was named to endless year end best lists including those from Pitchfork, Stereogum, Rolling Stone, and NPR Music. He quickly signed to 4AD and his debut for the label FARM TO TABLE turned him into a club headliner and an arena-sized opening act with genre-defining artists such as The National, boygenius, Phoebe Bridgers and Courtney Barnett.

The vinyl-exclusive release MAGIC BOY represents the Bartees story before this story began—33 1/2 minutes of recordings created before he entered the public eye, with 8 out of 10 never previously released. It finds his ever malleable sound touching on genres like coffee house folk (“IDK” - “Best Of You” - “You’re Here”), emo troubadour (“Count It Back” - “Little Brother”), and wigged-out experimentation (“Eat Your Heart Out”). Appended with two tracks previously available only as digital b-sides from SAY GOODBYE (“HAGS” - “Going Going”) it reads as a kind of “lost” album for someone shaping up to be a major voice in indie music. (In its first year of release only a few of these songs will be available on streaming or other DSPs, except for a Bandcamp download of the full album.)

Bartees’ story is a fairy tale of independent community and a triumph of efforts to diversify what the word “indie rock” even means, reclaiming it for Black artists. The MAGIC BOY LP is a fine way to celebrate Bartees Strange’s explosive trajectory and his run of dates opening for The National at arenas across Europe in autumn 2023.

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released April 5, 2024

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Bartees Strange Washington, D.C.

Bartees Strange is a producer and songwriter in Washington, D.C.His mother is an opera singer. His dad served in the military for decades. He traveled widely for his parents jobs — born in Ipswich, England 1989, his family did stints in Germany, Greenland, and a number of states across america before he hit his 12th birthday when they settled down in Mustang, Oklahoma. ... more

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