Dan Rose releases new EP

Danish singer-songwriter Dan Rose has spent the last decade making a name for himself as one of modern folk’s most intriguing and thought-provoking voices. Coming from a stripped-back DIY approach, his music blends the intimacy of lo-fi acoustic recordings with lyrics that reflect an outlook of sustainability, climate action and minimalist living. He writes songs that function as modern-day protest anthems, though always with warmth, charm and an approachable presence that keeps them at once human and profound.

Sharing his progressive folk sound and meaningful songwriting through studio releases, he first made his entrance back in 2014 with the debut EP, You Were Here. Since then, he’s won over fans around the world and earned critical acclaim while delivering an impressive catalogue of releases across multiple singles and EPs, as well as two full-length records.

His last album, This House Is On Fire, which landed in 2023, was a defining moment in his career; a collection of songs that directly tackled climate and sustainability with a lo-fi indie aesthetic, offering protest music with both heart and humility. It was a statement that felt both necessary and timeless, amplifying Dan’s role as an artist able to take on the big questions while keeping his delivery personal and musically enjoyable.

Now, Dan Rose continues his journey with his latest release, the brand new EP titled To The Bitter End, released via the Lady Lux Records imprint. This new release finds him in New York, drawing inspiration from the city’s venues, bars and magnetic energy. Across four tracks, he captures the contrast between fast-paced urban life and his enduring reflections on green ideas, transforming poignant contexts into meaningful musical moments.

Each song was recorded in front of a single microphone with his vocals and guitar tracked in single takes., resulting in an uncompromising distillation of his sonic vision. The EP’s title is a nod to New York’s legendary East Village venue The Bitter End, where artists like Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger and Jackson Browne once performed.

Opened by the lively guitar strums of “We Need Someone To Take Charge,” Dan’s expressive voice rolls in to spin impassioned lines carrying a rousing plea for change via compelling melodies. With “Don’t Be An Asshole,” he slows the pace with a mellow indie folk outing that pairs warm acoustic guitar chords and hazy lead notes as his emotive vocals cast a dreamy and engaging musical experience. Penned after a night at the Lower East Side bar and concert venue Arlene’s Grocery, the song takes its name from a sign Dan spotted behind the bar, “don’t be an asshole with the tips” and expands the sentiment into a broader reflection on caring, comparing it to taking responsibility for our planet before irreversible change deems it too late.

“The Bench In The Secret Gardens” presents a song infused with hope for a more positive direction in the climate debate, tinged with a personal touch referencing local New York artist Awkward Marina, whom Dan first saw perform at The Bitter End. Channelling the classic folk stylings of artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, the song serves up a superb showcase of his stripped back, lo-fi sound and heartfelt songwriting.

Closing the EP with “Everything Changes on 86th Street,” his moving vocal performance glides above the gentle rhythmic sway of acoustic guitar with blissful melodic writing to deliver a truly affecting finale to his stellar new EP. To The Bitter End is a continuation of Dan Rose’s journey as a songwriter who filters personal experiences into widely appealing music, marking another incredible chapter in his enduring story as an exceptionally talented singer-songwriter.

Listen to To The Bitter End below