A Postcard from New York: Dan Rose’s "To The Bitter End."

Danish singer-songwriter Dan Rose channels the rhythm and restlessness of New York City into his new EP, To The Bitter End. Written in the city’s bars and small venues, the four songs were recorded live in single takes with only a guitar, a voice, and one microphone. The result is a lo-fi folk collection that feels intimate and unfiltered, echoing the honesty of artists once tied to The Bitter End, the East Village venue that inspired its title. Across its brief tracklist, Rose captures late-night thoughts about kindness, change, and the planet, turning the fast pace of New York into quiet moments of reflection.

Four Songs, Four Corners of New York

To The Bitter End opens with “We Need Someone To Take Charge,” a song that carries a sense of urgency shaped by the city it was written in. Brisk acoustic strums support lyrics calling for empathy and leadership, echoing through small rooms and crowded bars. It references Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and Bergen Street, places linked to songwriters before him like Elliott Smith. Beneath its simplicity is a protest built on thoughtfulness rather than anger, reminding listeners that real change begins with care.

The second track, “Don’t Be An Asshole,” takes its name from a sign Dan Rose spotted at Arlene’s Grocery on Manhattan’s Lower East Side: “Don’t be an asshole with the tips.” What started as a late-night observation became a wider metaphor about decency and responsibility. The song unfolds with a mellow rhythm and a dry sense of humor, comparing everyday manners to how we treat the planet, a quiet warning to look out for one another before the final bill has to be paid.

“The Bench In The Secret Gardens” turns toward quiet optimism. Written after seeing local artist Awkward Marina perform at The Bitter End, it captures the fragile balance between frustration and hope that threads through the record. The lyrics explore how optimism can still exist in small, personal moments, even when public debates feel stagnant. There’s a gentle lightness in its guitar tone, and its lo-fi texture gives the impression of a letter written in one sitting, unedited but sincere.

The closing song, “Everything Changes On 86th Street,” reflects the daily motion of Manhattan: the small routines, familiar faces, and constant flow of life that both tire and inspire. Its lyrics describe sameness and hypocrisy, yet also hold the possibility of breaking free from repetition. The unpolished recording style keeps it grounded, allowing the emotion to remain close and unfiltered.

Across these four songs, Dan Rose turns scenes from New York’s streets, parks, and bars into fragments of a larger story. Each track feels like an entry in a notebook written mid-journey, where the city’s noise fades just enough for an honest voice to be heard.

Finding Honesty in a City That Never Sleeps

At its core, To The Bitter End is less about nostalgia and more about presence. Dan Rose captures what it feels like to slow down in a place that never does. Each track carries the hum of New York in the background, from the subway beneath to the late-night chatter above, and into the quiet corners where thoughts take shape. By recording everything in one take, he keeps the songs close to real life, imperfections included.

What makes the EP stand out is its sincerity. There are no studio tricks or layered production to hide behind, only a voice and a guitar trying to make sense of modern life. The focus on empathy, small kindnesses, and environmental awareness gives the record depth without turning it into a sermon. Instead, it serves as a reminder that folk music still has space to question, to hope, and to care.

To The Bitter End may be rooted in New York, but its message extends far beyond it. In four simple songs, Dan Rose shows that honesty still matters, both in music and in the way we live with one another.

Stream "To The Bitter End" on Spotify, and stay tuned with Dan Rose on Instagram.