Vargen is the eponymous fourth album of acclaimed Swedish Bob Dylan interpreter and singer-songwriter Vargen (“The Wolf” in Swedish). Through 9 tracks he continues to showcase his ability to infuse his music with all kinds of emotions, something that is palpable in every single note. It takes the listener on a ride with the likes of lounge-inspired and hum-worthy “Toxicon”, Nick Cave-esque “The Bullfighter” and features a guest appearance by Swedish guitar legend Jojje Wadenius on “Them Cats”.

Formats: Vinyl/CD/DL. Release Date: November 10, 2023
Singles: Toxicon (September 8), Easter Soul (October 13), The Bullfighter -Edit/Single Version (December 1)
Earlier singles: Mindy Morning (June 17, 2022), The Bitch In Me (April 28, 2023)

Credits: 
Songs written by Reine Johansson. Produced and mixed by Fredrik Larnemo at Recordia, Varberg, Sweden. Mastered by Thomas Eberger at Stockholm Mastering. All rights reserved © (P) Vargen Music

Musicians:
Reine Johansson – vocals
Per Bengtsson – lead & rhythm guitars
Andreas Alm – acoustic guitar
Dag Hallberg – keys
Christian Kullberg – bass
Klas Assarsson – drums & percussion
Märta Sylvander – backing vocals on “Easter Soul” and “Toxicon”
Jojje Wadenius – wah wah guitar on “Them Cats”
Fredrik Larnemo – additional arrangements

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Vargen

Written by Reine Johansson.
Produced, mixed & mastered by Fredrik Larnemo at Studio Recordia, March 2022.
(P) & (C) 2022 Vargen Music / Vargen Records

Musicians:
Reine Johansson: Vocals
Dag Hallberg: Minimoog, piano
Per Bengtsson: Electric guitar
Andreas Alm: Acoustic guitar
Christian Kullberg: Bass
Klas Assarsson: Drums

Cover art: Reine Johansson

Mindy Morning

Toxicon is a hum-worthy track with lounge-inspired beats, conjuring the feeling of strolling down the catwalk at the peak of your career. The name is a play on the words toxic and icon, combining them in the same fashion as a star can both be and ingest toxic matter. Yet again Swedish singer-songwriter and Bob Dylan interpreter Vargen (The Wolf in Swedish) showcases his ability to infuse his music with emotions. This is the third single from his upcoming eponymous album.

Toxicon

With a steady beat and a bluesy wah-wah pedal infused guitar, Easter Soul demonstrates the rock’n’roll side of Swedish singer-songwriter and Bob Dylan interpreter Vargen (The Wolf in Swedish). 
It’s a song about reluctantly becoming the scapegoat while communicating to others that one is not a savior because there is no salvation to be had. 
This is the fourth and final single before the release of Vargen’s upcoming 
eponymous album.

Written by Reine Johansson. Produced and mixed by Fredrik Larnemo at Recordia, Varberg, Sweden. Mastered by Thomas Eberger at Stockholm Mastering.

Lyric:
EASTER SOUL

Easter days 
have come by my way
Am I here to stay 
till tomorrow?
Easter sun 
Am I the only one 
Who’ll consider 
suffering for you?

Don’t wanna dance
Just shake off the rust
Down on your knees 
And reach for the soul

Easter walls 
have a new call
Down on your luck,
our reliance
Easter sun
You come and you run 
Down on your luck 
You break in silence

Ah… 
All long, for sure 
They all got the chance now 
Can’t wait for the rain to fall

Got no place to live and love, 
No high grace from above
Now everyone’s looking 
for a new disaster

And I don’t wanna dance
Just shake off the rust
Get down on your knees 
And reach for the soul


Musicians:
Reine Johansson – vocals
Märta Sylvander - backing vocals
Per Bengtsson – electric guitar
Andreas Alm – acoustic guitar
Dag Hallberg – piano
Christian Kullberg – bass
Klas Assarsson – drums & percussion
Fredrik Larnemo – additional arrangements

All rights reserved © (P) Vargen Music

Easter Soul

Written by Reine Johansson. Produced and mixed by Fredrik Larnemo at Recordia, Varberg, Sweden. Mastered by Thomas Eberger at Stockholm Mastering.

Lyric:
TAR & FEATHERS

Man, look at that face 
It’s the face I’ve been longing for      
Written in the lines of my palm

I realize
what I’ve been waiting for
This is the call, to call off your guns

Body’s bruised and battered 
Your soul’s a cold embrace 
Heart, mind and matter 
– time to fill the space

Call out my name 
Through the breeze ‘cross the milky way
Right through the fear and alarm

Body’s pierced and battered 
Soul’s put to waste
Heart, mind and matter 
– no smell, no taste

Body’s scarred and battered 
Your soul’s an empty cage
Heart, mind and matter 
– put the pen to the page

Man, look at that face 
It’s the face I’ve been longing for
It’s written in the lines of my palm

Musicians:
Reine Johansson – vocals
Dag Hallberg – piano
Christian Kullberg – upright bass
Klas Assarsson – drums
Fredrik Larnemo – additional arrangements

All rights reserved © (P) Vargen Music

Tar & Feathers

Written by Reine Johansson. Produced and mixed by Fredrik Larnemo at Recordia, Varberg, Sweden. Mastered by Thomas Eberger at Stockholm Mastering.

Lyric:
LIKE A BIRD OF PREY

All the days have drawn their curtains
All the days lie then and there
All the things I took for certain
now have vanished in the air
I’m in need of a twist or something
You know I’m far astray
Now the night comes closing in
Just like a bird of prey

I watch the she-hawk hover
Over meadows wide and plain
To discover a mate, a lover,
Or more likely, something to slay
I recall the scene, I was wild and free
Then suddenly I was swept away
When your love struck down 
Like a bird of prey
Two lovers lost in Eden
All’s new, nothing’s wrong
No wisdom, all is freedom
Knew nothing ‘bout the snake’s tongue
Crawled up on my backseat
Blew the skies and heavens away
All was flesh, we all dug in 
Like birds of prey

I hear the children playing
Hear their laughter and their tears
I remember a young man sayin’
“No hesitation, no hate, no fear”
All flesh is grass and it’s withering
Its flowers will fade away
Now the night comes closing in
Like a bird of prey

Musicians:
Reine Johansson – vocals
Per Bengtsson – electric guitar
Andreas Alm – acoustic guitar
Dag Hallberg – piano
Christian Kullberg – bass
Klas Assarsson – drums
Fredrik Larnemo – additional arrangements

All rights reserved © (P) Vargen Music

Like A Bird Of Prey

Written by Reine Johansson. Produced by Fredrik Larnemo, Studio Recordia, Varberg, Sweden. Mastered by Thomas Eberger, Stockholm Mastering.
Released as single June 17, 2022. 

Lyric:
Mindy morning 
She sleeps until noon
Mindy calls me, 
‘Better get here soon’

“Dreamed a bad dream, 
come keep me safe and warm”
“Scheme, baby, scheme” I say, 
“You must be puttin’ me on”

Mindy morning 
Hit the bed at dawn
It’s a Mindy call-in, 
I know she’s never alone

Mindy was a fire-eater 
Did her flicflac and then blow
I know I just gotta meet her, 
I wonder if she still got that glow

Speaks of the silver moon, 
the daisies, the howlin’ rain
The air’s a-tremblin’, I’m doomed 
– all Mindied again

Mindy morning
Mindy morning 
Mindy morning

Musicians: 
Reine Johansson – vocals
Per Bengtsson – electric guitar
Andreas Alm – acoustic guitar
Dag Hallberg – keys, mini-moog
Christian Kullberg – bass
Klas Assarsson – drums
Fredrik Larnemo – additional arrangements

All rights reserved © (P) Vargen Music

Ferguson's Burning

Taken from the Vargen album 'Love / Leave - 11 Songs of Bob Dylan' (Vinyl/CD/DMP - 2020) 
For further details, visit Vargen's website vargen.net

Love Minus Zero / No Limit (lyric):

My love she speaks like silence
Without ideals or violence
She doesn’t have to say she’s faithful
Yet she’s true, like ice, like fire
People carry roses
Make promises by the hours
My love she laughs like the flowers
Valentine’s can’t buy her

In the dime stores and bus stations
People talk of situations
Read books, repeat quotations
Draw conclusions on the wall
Some speak of the future
My love she speaks softly
She knows there’s no success like failure
And that failure’s no success at all

The cloak and dagger dangles
Madams light the candles
In ceremonies of the horsemen
Even the pawn must hold a grudge
Statues made of matchsticks
Crumble into one another
My love winks, she does not bother
She knows too much to argue or to judge

The bridge at midnight trembles
The country doctor rambles
Banker’s nieces seek perfection
Expecting all the gifts that wise men bring
The wind howls like a hammer
The night blows cold and rainy
My love she’s like some raven
At my window with a broken wing

© Special Rider Music

Written by Bob Dylan. (C) Sony Music Entertainment. (P) Vargen Records. Distribution: Border Music Scandinavia/Redeye Worldwide. All rights reserved. 
Produced by Andreas Alm and Reine Johansson. Mixed by Andreas Alm.
Recorded at Teknikcirkus Studio, Skällinge. Mastered by Emil Isaksson, Tape/Run, Malmö.
Cover art: Lo Rosengren (photo);  Zyklop (graphic design). 

Musicians: 
Reine Johansson: Vocals
Dan Kristensen: Lead & rhythm guitars 
Andreas Alm: Rhythm guitar, keyboards, percussion, sounds
Zacharias Sjöberg: Piano
Jan Lundin: Bass
Måns Broman: Drums
Anna Vild: Harmonica

Love Minus Zero / No Limit

Taken from the Vargen album 'Love / Leave - 11 Songs of Bob Dylan' (Vinyl/CD/DMP - 2020) 
For further details, visit Vargen's website vargen.net

Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (lyric):

Mama, take this badge off of me
I can’t use it anymore
It’s gettin’ dark, too dark to see
I feel like I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door

Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door

Mama, put my guns to the ground
I can’t shoot them anymore
That long black cloud is comin’ down
I feel like I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door

© Ram’s Horn Music 

Written by Bob Dylan. (C) Sony Music Entertainment. (P) Vargen Records. Distribution: Border Music Scandinavia/Redeye Worldwide. All rights reserved. 
Produced by Andreas Alm and Reine Johansson. Mixed by Andreas Alm.
Recorded at Teknikcirkus Studio, Skällinge. Mastered by Emil Isaksson, Tape/Run, Malmö.
Cover art: Lo Rosengren (photo);  Zyklop (graphic design). 

Musicians: 
Reine Johansson: Vocals
Mia Rosengren: Vocals
Dan Kristensen: Lead & rhythm guitars 
Andreas Alm: Rhythm guitar, keyboards, percussion, sounds
Jan Lundin: Bass
Måns Broman: Drums

Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Taken from the Vargen album 'Love / Leave - 11 Songs of Bob Dylan' (Vinyl/CD/DMP - 2020) 
For further details, visit Vargen's website vargen.net

One Too Many Mornings (lyric):

Down the street the dogs are barkin’
And the day is a-getting’ dark
As the night comes in a-fallin’
The dogs’ll lose their bark
An’ the silent night will shatter
From the sounds inside my mind
And I’m one too many mornings
And a thousand miles behind

From the crossroads of my doorstep
My eyes start to fade
As I turn my head back to the room
Where my love and I have laid
An’ I gaze back to the street
The sidewalk and the sign
And I’m one too many mornings
And a thousand miles behind

It’s a restless hungry feeling
That don’t mean no one no good
When ev’rything I’m a-sayin’
You can say it just as good
You’re right from your side
I’m right from mine
We’re both just one too many mornings
And a thousand miles behind

© Special Rider Music

Written by Bob Dylan. (C) Sony Music Entertainment. (P) Vargen Records. Distribution: Border Music Scandinavia/Redeye Worldwide. All rights reserved. 
Produced by Andreas Alm and Reine Johansson. Mixed by Andreas Alm.
Recorded at Teknikcirkus Studio, Skällinge. Mastered by Emil Isaksson, Tape/Run, Malmö.
Cover art: Lo Rosengren (photo);  Zyklop (graphic design). 

Musicians: 
Mia Rosengren: Vocals
Reine Johansson: Harmonica
Dan Kristensen: Acoustic guitar 
Andreas Alm: Sounds
Jan Lundin: Bass

One Too Many Mornings

Taken from the Vargen album 'Love / Leave - 11 Songs of Bob Dylan' (Vinyl/CD/DMP - 2020) 
For further details, visit Vargen's website vargen.net

Tomorrow Is a Long Time (lyric):

If today was not an endless highway
If tonight was not a crooked trail
If tomorrow wasn’t such a long time
Then lonesome would mean 
nothing to you at all

I can’t see my reflection in the waters
I can’t speak the sounds that show no pain
I can’t hear the echo of my footsteps
Or even remember the sound 
of my own name

Only if my own true love was waitin’
If I could hear your heart a-softly poundin’
Only if you were lyin’ by me
Then I’d lie in my bed once again

There’s beauty in the silver, singin’ river
There’s beauty in the sunrise in the sky
But none of these and nothing else can touch the beauty
That I remember in my true love’s Eyes

Only if my own true love was waitin’
If I could hear your heart a-softly poundin’
Only if you were lyin’ by me
Then I’d lie in my bed once again

© Special Rider Music

Written by Bob Dylan. (C) Sony Music Entertainment. (P) Vargen Records. Distribution: Border Music Scandinavia/Redeye Worldwide. All rights reserved. 
Produced by Andreas Alm and Reine Johansson. Mixed by Andreas Alm.
Recorded at Teknikcirkus Studio, Skällinge. Mastered by Emil Isaksson, Tape/Run, Malmö.
Cover art: Lo Rosengren (photo), Zyklop (graphic design). 

Musicians: 
Mia Rosengren: Vocals
Reine Johansson: Vocals
Dan Kristensen: Dobro, lap steel 
Andreas Alm: keyboards, sounds
Jan Lundin: Bass
Måns Broman: Drums

Tomorrow Is A Long Time

Taken from the Vargen album 'Love / Leave - 11 Songs of Bob Dylan' (Vinyl/CD/DMP - 2020) 
For further details, visit Vargen's website vargen.net

It Ain’t Me, Babe (lyric):

Go away from my window
Leave at your own chosen speed
I’m not the one you want, babe
I’m not the one you need
You say you’re lookin’ for someone
Never weak but always strong
To protect you an’ defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each 
and every door
But it ain’t me, babe
No. no, no, it ain’t me, babe
It ain’t me you’re lookin’ for

Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Go lightly on the ground
I’m not the one you want, babe
I will only let you down
You say you’re lookin’ for someone
Who will promise never to part
Someone to close her eyes for you
Someone to close her heart
Someone who will die for you 
an’ more
Bur it ain’t me, babe
No, no, no, it ain’t me, babe
It ain’t me you’re lookin’ for

Go melt back into the night, babe
Everything inside is made of stone
There’s nothing in here moving
An’ anyway I’m not alone
You say you’re looking for someone
Who’ll pick you up each time you fall
To gather flowers constantly
An’ to come each time you call
A lover for your life 
an’ nothing more
But it ain’t me, babe
No, no, no, it ain’t me, babe
It ain’t me you’re lookin’ for

© Special Rider Music

Written by Bob Dylan. (C) Sony Music Entertainment. (P) Vargen Records. Distribution: Border Music Scandinavia/Redeye Worldwide. All rights reserved. 
Produced by Andreas Alm and Reine Johansson. Mixed by Andreas Alm.
Recorded at Teknikcirkus Studio, Skällinge. Mastered by Emil Isaksson, Tape/Run, Malmö.
Cover art: Lo Rosengren (photo), Zyklop (graphic design). 

Musicians: 
Mia Rosengren: Vocals
Reine Johansson: Vocals
Dan Kristensen: Lead & rhythm guitars 
Andreas Alm: Rhythm guitar, keyboards, percussion, sounds
Zacharias Sjöberg: Piano
Jan Lundin: Bass
Måns Broman: Drums
Daddy Musesa: Congas, bongos

It Ain't Me, Babe

Taken from the Vargen album 'Love / Leave - 11 Songs of Bob Dylan' (Vinyl/CD/DMP - 2020) 
For further details, visit Vargen's website vargen.net

Abandoned Love (lyric):

I can hear the turning of the key
I’ve been deceived by the clown 
inside of me
I thought that he was righteous 
but he’s vain
Now something’s a-telling me 
I wear that ball and chain

My patron saint’s a-fighting with a ghost
He’s always off somewhere
when I need him most
The Spanish moon is rising on the hill
But my heart is a-telling me I love ya still

I come back to town from the flaming moon
When I see you in the streets, 
I begin to swoon
I love to see you dress before the mirror
Won’t you let me in your room one time ‘fore I disappear?

Everybody’s wearing a disguise
To hide what they’ve got left 
behind their eyes
But me, I can’t cover what I am
Wherever the children go 
I’ll follow them

So call out for Saint John, the Evangelist
All my friends are drunk, 
they can be dismissed
My head tells me it’s time 
to make a change
But my heart’s a-telling me 
I love ya but you’re strange

So step lightly, darling, near the wall
Take off your heavy make-up 
and your shawl
Won’t you descend from the throne, from where you sit?
Let me feel your love one more time 
before I abandon it

© Ram’s Horn Music 

Written by Bob Dylan. (C) Sony Music Entertainment. (P) Vargen Records. Distribution: Border Music Scandinavia/Redeye Worldwide. All rights reserved. 
Produced by Andreas Alm and Reine Johansson. Mixed by Andreas Alm.
Recorded at Teknikcirkus Studio, Skällinge. Mastered by Emil Isaksson, Tape/Run, Malmö.
Cover art: Lo Rosengren (photo), Zyklop (graphic design). 

Musicians: 
Reine Johansson: Vocals
Mia Rosengren: backing vocals 
Dan Kristensen: Lead & rhythm guitars, slide guitar
Andreas Alm: Rhythm guitar, keyboards, percussion, sounds
Jan Lundin: Bass
Johann Laux: Drums
Anna Vild: backing vocals

Abandoned Love

Taken from the Vargen album 'Love / Leave - 11 Songs of Bob Dylan' (Vinyl/CD/DMP - 2020) 
For further details, visit Vargen's website vargen.net

One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below) (lyric):
 
Your breath is sweet
Your eyes are like two jewels in the sky
Your back is straight, your hair is smooth
On the pillow where you lie
But I don’t sense affection
No gratitude or love
Your loyalty is not to me
But to the stars above

One more cup of coffee for the road
One more cup of coffee ‘fore I go
to the valley below

Your daddy he’s an outlaw
And a wanderer by trade
He’ll teach you how to pick and choose
And how to throw the blade
He oversees his kingdom
So no stranger does intrude
His voice it trembles as he calls out
For another plate of food

One more cup of coffee for the road
One more cup of coffee ‘fore I go
to the valley below

Your sister sees the future
Like your mama and yourself
You’ve never learned to read or write
There’s no books upon your shelf
And your pleasure knows no limits
Your voice is like a meadowlark
But your heart is like an ocean
Mysterious and dark

One more cup of coffee for the road
One more cup of coffee ‘fore I go
to the valley below

© Ram’s Horn Music 


Written by Bob Dylan. (C) Sony Music Entertainment. (P) Vargen Records. Distribution: Border Music Scandinavia/Redeye Worldwide. All rights reserved. 
Produced by Andreas Alm and Reine Johansson. Mixed by Andreas Alm.
Recorded at Teknikcirkus Studio, Skällinge. Mastered by Emil Isaksson, Tape/Run, Malmö.
Cover art: Lo Rosengren (photo), Zyklop (graphic design). 

Musicians: 
Reine Johansson: Vocals
Mia Rosengren: Vocals
Dan Kristensen: Lead & rhythm guitars 
Andreas Alm: Rhythm guitar, keyboards, sounds
Jan Lundin: Bass
Måns Broman: Drums
Daddy Musesa: Congas, bongos

One More Cup Of Coffee

Taken from the Vargen album 'Love / Leave - 11 Songs of Bob Dylan' (Vinyl/CD/DMP - 2020) 
For further details, visit Vargen's website vargen.net

I Threw It All Away (lyric)

I once held her 
in my arms
She said she would always stay
But I was cruel
I treated her like a fool
I threw it all away

Once I had mountains 
in the palm of my hand
And rivers that ran through every day

But I must have been mad
Never knew what I had
Until I threw it all away

Love is all there is, 
it makes the world go ‘round
Love and only love, it can’t be denied
No matter what you think about it
You just won’t be able to do without it
Take a tip from one who’s tried

So if you find someone 
that gives you all of her love
Take it to your heart, don’t let it stray
For one thing’s for certain
You will surely be a-hurtin’
If you throw it all away

© Big Sky Music

Written by Bob Dylan. (C) Sony Music Entertainment. (P) Vargen Records. Distribution: Border Music Scandinavia/Redeye Worldwide. All rights reserved. 
Produced by Andreas Alm and Reine Johansson. Mixed by Andreas Alm.
Recorded at Teknikcirkus Studio, Skällinge. Mastered by Emil Isaksson, Tape/Run, Malmö.
Cover art: Lo Rosengren (photo); Zyklop (graphic design). 

Musicians: 
Reine Johansson: Vocals
Dan Kristensen: Lead & rhythm guitars 
Andreas Alm: Rhythm guitar, keyboards, percussion, sounds
Zacharias Sjöberg: Piano
Jan Lundin: Bass
Måns Broman: Drums
Mia Rosengren: Backing vocals
Anna Vild: backing vocals

I Threw It All Away

Vargen (“The Wolf”) is the stage alias of singer-songwriter and actor Reine Johansson. Genres: Rock, americana, folk.
----
BIO (Press text "Vargen" LP/CD/DL 2023)
Over the recent years the Swedish singer-songwriter and Bob Dylan interpreter Vargen, has carved a reputation for infusing his music with both mystery and raw emotions.

Vargen’s previous albums have firmly established his presence in the spotlight. His acclaimed renditions of Bob Dylan’s songs in both Swedish and English, along with his unique takes on the works of Swedish poet Dan Andersson, have garnered widespread recognition. 
This time around Vargen takes a step away from interpretations and instead debuts with original songs on an eponymous album. An album which makes it clear that his ability to capture and convey emotions musically, whether joyful or melancholic, remains as sharp and powerful as ever.
Through 9 tracks the album takes the listener on a ride with among many others the playful and lounge-inspired Toxicon that invokes the sensation of strolling down the catwalk, the Nick Cave-esque The Bullfighter, bluesy and rock-infused Easter Soul – a song about reluctantly taking one for the team, playing the victim or becoming the scapegoat – and Them Cats – which features a guest appearance by Swedish guitar legend Jojje Wadenius.
Concealed beneath the moniker is Reine Johansson’s skill, an artist with origins in the rock and punk domains, who shares the inspiration behind the album here:
”Our minds associate, connect and draw conclusions. It was when people, times, places – real or imagined – collide or combine that I found inspiration for many of the songs.” He continues ”I don’t really know how it happens. It might be a dream that lingers. It might be a memory or feeling that changes in an instant if put in a new light. Sometimes it’s just plain fiction.”
Vargen was released on November 10 2023 digitally and on vinyl and CD via his own record label Vargen Records and is distributed by Border Music / Redeye.

-	Kniven PR / Vargen Music

Easter Soul

Vargen

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