Back in 2003, Sarah Assbring began to create music under the intriguing pseudonym of El Perro del Mar, and the name has stuck. Since then, the Swedish musician has released five studio albums and has been gaining notoriety along the way. “Hold Off the Dawn” is one of the great songs from El Perro del Mar’s most recent album, and the catchy hook will stay in your head for hours. Or days.
The song is best described as a lo-fi indie piece, with the haunting and scratchy sounds of audio recording beginning the track on their own. It is soon overshadowed by bongo-sounding drums, melancholic piano chords, and Assbring’s flawless voice. There is also a strange and almost unsettling cinematic arc that is very reminiscent of the sound effects used 1950s sci-fi, but it is probably just a synth. Don’t let that description deter you, though, as everything blends extremely well and in a very interesting way.
But, back to Assbring’s voice. Really, it is flawless, perfect in pitch and purity. The way she sings brings aspects of whimsical romance to every line and verse. It is this hushed and sensual tone that makes El Perro del Mar unforgettable.
El Perro del Mar literally means “the dog of the sea” in Spanish, but it also reflects back to an old Swedish saying. The Swedish word for “seadog” has often been used to connote an old or experienced sailor, and the allusion is perfect. Somehow, listening to Sarah Assbring’s voice makes me think that she knows something that I don’t, that she is wise from seeing much of the world. It seems fitting with “Hold Off the Dawn” especially, as she sooths the listener by beginning the song with the phrase “sail away, away, away, away, to hold off the dawn” and repeating it.
“Hold Off the Down” is only one of El Perro del Mar’s amazing songs, so listen to it and then explore the rest.