The first song I heard from Central California songwriter Scott Bartenhagen was “Beacons,” which we premiered a few weeks ago. It’s a peaceful, pastoral track that turns dissonant toward the end in a burst of glowering chords, and the perfect introduction to Bartenhagen’s eclectic folk-jazz style. Today he’s shared the entirety of the Black Dane EP, a simple four-song release produced by Jon O’Brien that marks Bartenhagen’s first project on a label. Out today on New Professor Music, these are songs that build from lulling and retrospective into stormier declarations of hurt, hope, or want. Black Dane is an EP brimming with sharp-tongued truths and blazing, frenetic acoustics. Bartenhagen’s guitar skills precede him; his reputation is sure to follow. Listen below.

Black Dane EP is out today via New Professor Music. Get it here.