Harry Kappen Confronts the Clash Between Head and Heart in “The Longing”
Dutch multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer Harry Kappen has announced the release of "The Longing," the opening track and fourth single from his highly anticipated new album FOUR. Long based in Amsterdam, Kappen’s work has been revered in communities both large and small for his ability to wed deeply personal storytelling to themes and ideas that resonate universally, and he may succeed most electrifyingly thus far in this release.
"The Longing" grapples with one of life's most common tensions, the endless tension between logic and feeling. Through careful lyricism, spectacular dynamic sound shifts, and ghostly vocal samples, Kappen pulls the audience into his internal tussle, allowing them to experience not just feel affronted by one or the other. He has said that while his heart is often victorious in the end, he cannot make decisions that come from a pure disconnection with reason. This idea resonates greatly in the song’s movement from stillness to loud, rock exclamation.
"The Longing" is one of Kappen's most ambitious works. The song transitions from atmospheric sections to moments of hard rock energy, reflecting his initial experiences in Groningen's rock bands. The use of layered acoustic and electric guitars, polyphonic vocal lines, solos with lyrical references, and orchestral textures contributes to a feeling of vastness mixed with a sense of intimacy, just like the actual arrangement reflects the title of the song: The calm of logic clashing with the fire of pure emotion.
This follows the outstanding “Courage,” driven by his love toward his wife and move to Mexico, the politically charged song "Break These Chains," and the popular "Be Brave If You Can." Together, these songs suggest Kappen has range as a writer and storyteller, synthesizing personal experience with social awareness.
The lyric video for “The Longing” contributes significantly to the song’s emotional weight by presenting beautiful images that strengthen the impetus of this struggle and the resolution of the human condition. Kappen is pushing his artistry even further with FOUR, creating an album that is musically diverse and thematically strong, showing Kappen’s progress as an artist, whether it be by creating new songs or lyric videos. Kappen’s “The Longing” is a modern and timeless take on what it means to struggle with the human condition, and more than a song to hear, it is a song to feel.
Get In Touch With Harry Kappen:
Twitter(X): https://twitter.com/HarryKappen
Bandcamp: http://harrykappen.hearnow.com/
