We Speak Folk
BOULDER ARTIST GARY ROSEN TAKES AIM AT AMERICA’S COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP WITH GUNS IN NEW SINGLE ‘REMINGTON BULLETS’
From Rosen's forthcoming EP, The Political Project, the song explores normalized gun violence, entertainment's influence, and contradictions in American life.
"Divided we stand, divided we fall, it's the new American way." — Gary Rosen
The inspiration for "Remington Bullets" came from a disturbing television news report about a 16-year-old boy whose parents had purchased him a gun for his birthday. The teenager subsequently used the weapon to shoot and kill classmates at his school.
The following day, while boarding an airplane, Rosen noticed fellow passengers engrossed in movies depicting gun violence, from crime dramas to military action films. The juxtaposition struck him immediately: real-life gun violence was a source of national anguish, yet fictionalized versions of that same violence remained a popular form of entertainment.
"I thought about how normalized and accepted our gun society is for many, and how strongly it is opposed by others," Rosen explains. "Most of us shun gun violence, myself included, and yet we can find ourselves captivated by movies and stories filled with guns, weapons and warfare. It is difficult, if not impossible, to resist their intrusion and presence in our everyday lives."
Another unsettling observation came during a visit to an outdoor supply store, where Rosen discovered plastic replicas of semiautomatic weapons marketed to children ages five and older. Some models had already sold out, while the store's firearms counter was its busiest department.
These seemingly disconnected experiences became the foundation for a song that examines how deeply firearms have become embedded in American culture, from childhood gifts and backyard recreation to military conflict, political rhetoric and personal security.
Through vivid imagery and a recurring refrain, Rosen draws connections between the casual availability of ammunition, the consequences of armed conflict, and the uncomfortable contradictions surrounding America's relationship with guns.
The lyrics move from Christmas stockings and birthday presents to battlefields and the U.S. Capitol, contrasting the familiar imagery of action movies with the far more complicated consequences of real-world violence.
One particularly pointed refrain captures the song's central observation:
"Divided we stand, divided we fall, it's the new American way."
Rather than offering easy answers to an extraordinarily complicated issue, "Remington Bullets" invites listeners to consider how society reconciles its fascination with firearms and fictional violence with the tragic consequences that so frequently dominate real-world headlines.
For Rosen, the creative process was unusually immediate.
"The song was written within a few weeks and recorded in one day," he recalls. "Both were unusual for me as a songwriter. The ideas came together quickly because the contradictions I was observing were so striking."
"Remington Bullets" is part of Rosen's forthcoming EP, The Political Project, a collection of six original songs examining political turmoil, social division, and the cultural forces shaping contemporary American life. Rather than focusing on particular political parties or individual politicians, the project explores broader questions about the American experience through Rosen's distinctive musical storytelling.
The single follows "Gas Station TV," released October 3, 2026, which takes a more humorous approach to modern information overload, advertising, algorithms and the constant barrage of news competing for Americans' attention.
Together, the songs demonstrate the range of The Political Project, from satire and observational humor to more serious reflections on issues that divide the nation.
With "Remington Bullets," Rosen continues a long tradition of American songwriting that uses music not simply to entertain, but to provoke thought, encourage conversation and reflect the times in which we live.
ABOUT GARY ROSEN
Gary Rosen is a Boulder, Colorado-based singer-songwriter whose original music combines storytelling, social observation and thoughtful commentary on contemporary life. His forthcoming six-song EP, The Political Project, explores political and cultural divisions through a collection of songs that balance humor, introspection and pointed lyrical observations. His recent singles include "Gas Station TV" and "Remington Bullets."
For music, artist information and updates, visit https://GaryRosenMusic.com
We Speak Folk
Jeán et Joie Releases Album ‘Bramble,’ Pairing Poetic Lyrics With Atmospheric Folk
Jeán et Joie, the independent music group formed by artist and songwriter Grey Jeán, has released Bramble, a nine-track folk album exploring nature, spirituality and personal experience. Released on September 18, 2026, the album is available on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. Based in Winston-Salem, the group brings together mournful folk and a hopeful sensibility, offering listeners a collection suited to quiet listening and reflection.
With a running time of 31 minutes and 41 seconds, Bramble combines simple instrumental foundations with poetic, stream-of-consciousness storytelling. Its songs reflect recurring interests in celestial realities, the natural world and emotional integrity. Interested readers can visit the official website: https://jeanetjoie.com.
A Folk Collection with Varied Arrangements
The album opens with "MA," an acoustic folk track centred on haunting storytelling. "Glory Be" follows with electric and acoustic guitar, piano, bass and drums, supported by a minor-key setting and a downtempo 6/8 feel.
"Greatness Can Wait" introduces a livelier direction. Its soft piano opening develops into a funky indie-pop arrangement with a bass groove and a dreamy finish. "Dissolution," the album's longest track, expands the sound through heavier instrumentation and haunting harmonies.
Other selections include "No Trash Here," "Soul Sel" and "AGE," which features oboe within an ethereal folk setting. "Carriére" incorporates natural imagery and stream-of-consciousness lyrics, while closing track "Fried Rice" continues the collection's acoustic singer-songwriter approach.
These changes in instrumentation give listeners several ways to engage with the album while maintaining its reflective character.
Personal Experience and Spiritual Expression
Grey's songwriting connects lived experience with spontaneous expressions of spirituality. Across Bramble, this approach creates space for reflection through imagery, instrumental detail and an emphasis on emotional honesty.
"Bramble brings together the themes I return to in my writing: the natural world, spirituality and lived experience," said Grey Jeán, artist, songwriter and founder of Jeán et Joie. "My hope is that listeners find space within these songs for their own feelings and reflections."
The album's compact length allows listeners to experience its nine songs in a single sitting, following the shifts between acoustic intimacy, fuller arrangements and quieter passages. Here is a recent article published about the album.
Musical Roots and Listening Availability
Grey grew up in a musical household, surrounded by their three sisters' harmonies and polyphonic hymns associated with the family's Catholic faith. During a challenging adolescence in Mountain Home, Arkansas, they began writing original music and using their voice as a means of expression.
Their experience developed through choirs, open mic nights, live performances and virtual concerts during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, Grey played and wrote piano pieces for San Diego punk blues band Teeming Dreams. They formed Jeán et Joie in 2022.
Listeners can stream Bramble on Spotify and Apple Music or explore the album on Bandcamp by searching for Jeán et Joie.
About Jeán et Joie
Jeán et Joie is an independent folk music group formed by Grey Jeán and based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The project combines poetic storytelling and simple instrumental arrangements, drawing inspiration from nature, spiritual inquiry and personal experience.
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