TROLN “For Love”
With elements from the tale “Bluebeard,” “For Love” is a spine-chilling post-punk ballad that tackles the horror that lurk underneath the abuse of love. Helene Navne’s stunningly haunting vocal bleeds into her thought-evoking storytelling. With soft and feathery vocals curling like smoke, dark beats send the intrigues and alarm. Immersive, atmospheric sonics that creep in and fade out, pulling emotions like strings, “For Love” is where the alarming, spine-tingling truth surfaces, blood soaking the sweet bubble of love to a heart-wrenching red. There’s nothing romantic about abusive relationship.
There’s plenty of symbolism and poetry in “For Love.” The noise and disobedient dissonance fly in and fade out, alerting the nature of crime. But the beautiful, melancholy melodic storytelling seems to have no clue of what’s going on. “And then she changed her ways for love; and she changed her name for love; changed what she wants to change for love. But that’s not love at all.” The bleeding key is her only clue, but when can she see the monster’s true nature? Instead of focusing purely on the penetrator, TROLN encourages listeners to reflect the patterns in a relationship: how far have they bent themselves for love? What are they forgiving? How have they changed to meet the demand of the other?
We chat with TROLN on their latest release “For Love.” Read more on their inspirations and messages:
Punk Head: I love how you tackle abusive relationship through this stunning, dark tune. What are some challenges that encountered writing ‘For Love?’
TROLN: I met this woman who had just left an abusive relationship, and as I got to know her reactions to it—anxiety, ptsd, fear of being alone etc—I recognized some of this in myself. Sometimes it's only when we experience stuff through someone else's eyes that we really see things for what they are. When I got to know this woman and her story, it helped me realize things about my own past, and how I have sometimes mistaken abuse or control for love. I hope that people listening to this song who may be living in relationships with abuse, control or fear, that they may listen and dare ask themselves the question: is this really love, or is the beautiful word covering up for something it shouldn't?
PH: What was your favorite moment in making the music video?
TROLN:We haven't made the video just yet, but we are working with visuals from the tale ‘Bluebeard,' in which a woman finds out the truth about her murderous husband because of a key, that won't stop bleeding. When the truth is staring you in the face, you can't unsee it even if it has heavy consequences. I love the bleeding key as a symbol for this, and we have used it in our artwork as well as in the coming music video.
PH: What is your creative vision as an artist?
TROLN: My vision is to use the beautiful and emotional language of music to relate to people dealing with life and its hardships as well as its wondrous moments. Music can speak directly to emotions, like no other art form, and without it I would surely be mad myself. If our music reaches someone who feels just a little better or less alone while listening, it is all worthwhile.
PH: Who are your biggest inspirations?
TROLN: People who are authentic and kind. And art that makes me feel and think. I love jungian archetypes in myths, and storytelling that helps us understand the world and people in it.
PH: What would you like to say to your fans out there?
TROLN: If you are in an abusive relationship, please get help.
