“The Stranger”
from the EP Mighty
2010
iTunes
L.A.-based Lord Huron originally hails from Michigan, a fact the band goes out of their way to advertise. Frontman Ben Schneider is proud of his childhood home, even spending time at his old retreats (more specifically, Lake Huron). It’s there that the first Lord Huron EP, Into the Sun, was born. The follow-up, a four-song collection entitled Mighty, holds the spirit and rustic atmosphere of Michigan’s lakes and wilderness. Calypso beats and Fleet Foxes-esque harmonies are matched with a reckless wanderlust, reminiscent of songs sung on the American frontier.
It’s a stirring collection, but “The Stranger” stands out because of its nomadic attitude. In the track’s video, three companions traverse an icy tundra. As delirium sets in, a costly price is paid, resulting in a stream of lonely regret. “The Stranger” captures the unwavering arrogance of mankind measured against the unbending, ruthless call of the wild.