SKU: 12041796976

Kate Vargas - Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi

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Kate Vargas - Golden Hour in the House of LugosiOn fifth album Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi, released March 4, Kate Vargas draws closer to the truth of her uniquely nuanced, jazz and blues inflected "junkyard folk." Acclaimed by SPIN, Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, Billboard, and No Depression, she tints her metaphoric storytelling and maverick, outlier Americana with maturing perspectives, folklore from her native New Mexico, and literature at large. "I've been thinking about what it

On fifth album Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi, released March 4, Kate Vargas draws closer to the truth of her uniquely nuanced, jazz- and blues-inflected "junkyard folk." Acclaimed by SPIN, Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, Billboard, and No Depression, she tints her metaphoric storytelling and maverick, outlier Americana with maturing perspectives, folklore from her native New Mexico, and literature at large. "I've been thinking about what it means to be human," mulled Vargas, chatting from the San Francisco studio where she recorded Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi. "I feel like I'm getting away from that with so much technology, screens, and related avoidance of certain feelings." Dusty, darkly romantic, and emotionally raw, Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi wraps Vargas' signature gravelly melodies in rootsy acoustic instrumentation and quirky percussion, her voice enhanced by the sublime harmonizing of The Reckless Daughters (Kate's sister Lizzy Vargas and Lena Kaminsky). At once confessionally intimate and sepia-toned cinematic, it's a quietly riotous album of deep grooves, smoldering moods, and wry worldliness, it's intrigue and curiosity embroidered with Vargas' deft wordplay, palpable charisma and crisp, cultured phrasing. A wide-eyed childhood in the charming New Mexico village of Corrales, rich in Mexican and Southwestern oral tradition, still permeates Vargas' work, shaped by her Berklee music education and years of international touring. "I was fortunate to grow up with a mother who, if we said we were bored, would say, 'well, go outside and pretend something'," Vargas recalled. "In a place like Corrales, with two paved roads and no stoplight, you can do that." Vargas' singular sound is rooted in open-hearted genre hopping; subtle, soulful sensuality; and a girlish yet textured, old-soul timbre in the tradition of Nina Simone and Eartha Kitt (once wonderfully described by The Deli Magazine as "a favorite bourbon come to life"). Keeping her recording process as live and spontaneous as possible while shunning production sheen keeps Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi late-night intimate, vivaciously visceral, and refreshingly authentic. With a band of longtime friends and collaborators, Vargas sought to revisit the stripped-down, largely acoustic spirit of her 2018 For The Wolfish & Wandering album, a few years wiser yet with her resonant lyricism and playful smirk fully intact. Melding her perennial guiding stars Simone, Tom Waits, PJ Harvey, and Leonard Cohen to textured dive-bar vocals and irreverent yet meticulously selected "junkyard" found-object percussion instruments lends Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi a smoky yet hopeful aura all it's own. Equally of the head and the heart, it's one of those rare records that manages to sound instinctive and cerebral all at once, it's ostensibly conversational narratives in fact delving deep into the human condition. The album's title is a reference to actor Bela Lugosi being forever typecast as Dracula, and how we can all fall into adhering to a character cast upon us by others, or even by ourselves, until life shines just the right light - the "golden hour" of the title - for us to see a more authentic self. "Living can be kind of a slog, and especially right now can feel incredibly dark," Vargas offered. "Finding those bits of light when the sun comes in at just the right angle can make things look different, hopeful, and you find a bit of joy in an unexpected moment." Released by Mother West, Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi is preceded by pairs of singles beginning on March 5 with the huskily slinky "Downtown" and the imagined, organ-flecked future regrets of "I Once was a Contender."

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SKU: 12041796976

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4.7 ★★★★★
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Bernadette Smith
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent Rivals to Lovers!!
Format: Kindle
The tension and banter between Huntyr and Wold was delectable. I absolutely love the fallen angel and all of his flaws. Huntyr is amazing too being a badass FMC with some major trauma. The world building was great and I enjoyed the training aspect of the story. The writing was immersive and was in the story the whole time. The ending had quite a twist that I hadn’t anticipated and made my jaw DROP. Excellent job! I also loved the narration. Laura is one of my fave narrators!
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Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2025
E
Verified Purchase
❈ Elizabeth ❈ | Breakawayreads
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Fallen Angels, fae, vampires, oh my!
Format: Kindle
Rating: 4.5 | Spice: 2 (but a good slow-burn) • Main Characters: Huntyr and Wolf • I couldn’t wait to read this book; there was so much hype about it! And there was no doubt why. I fell in love with the characters and the plot itself. This book is mainly plot driven more than friction driven but it’s easy to follow along with. The characters are fun, easily understood. The main setting is at an academy where both the main characters are going through trials and building strength for the final test, The Transcendent. There are fantastic side characters as well. I loved the camaraderie between Huntyr and her friends. But we don’t like Lanson. 😆 We do have some plot twists that come into play throughout the book. Secrets and betrayal to be seen. I did adore Wolf and Huntyr’s relationship. It was a classic slow burn trope. They didn’t hit it off fast, but in time their feelings grew. I loved their banter, so sexy. Wolf is your next book boyfriend; Huntyr is your next vampire assassin independent bad-a*s female. Themes include loyalty, trust, self-discovery, a true slow burn romance. Side note: book ends on a angsty cliffhanger! • Emily, thank you for writing this awesome novel and I cannot wait to devour Book 2, Blood So Brutal! 😍 • Happy reading, my lovelies! xo
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Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2024
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MelsABookworm
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 4
“My heart bows to you and you only, Huntress.”
Format: Kindle
3.5 🌟 This book popped up in my KU recommended reading suggestions and the synopsis sounded like what I was in the mood for. I'm so glad I took a chance on it. I went into this knowing absolutely nothing about it and ended up really liking it. I love when this happens. The main characters are likeable and I easily found myself rooting for them. There is a mystery element to each of their backstories that I enjoyed watching unfold and can't wait to get more of. Wolf, in particular, has me fixated. Love him. I found this to be an entertaining, addictive read with a plot that moves along at a good pace. It reads so easily I found myself very reluctant to put it down. Lots of twists and turns and the angst is there. A good set up for the next book to come, for sure. My issues with this book....the dialogue feels a bit juvenile at times and there is a repetitive over use of a particular word phrasing that I found myself giving the ole eye-roll to. There are, without a doubt, some pretty cliche moments that gave me a bit of the cringe. I think this could've certainly 100% benefited from more depth regarding the world building. Perhaps the world building was sacrificed to keep the pacing quick? Just a guess. Also, the lack of consistency of character for the FMC was really evident and so she feels quite illogical at times. Overall, this was a fun and enjoyable read that hit the spot well enough for me. That ending certainly has me impatiently pining for book 2!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2024
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Amazon Customer
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 3
Interesting take on the genre
Format: Kindle
True rating: 3.25 ⭐️ I enjoyed the fresh take on the genre. The best way I could describe the setting and world is an apocalyptic dystopian version of Farie where vampires, fae, and angles struggle to survive in what is left of the world. It was definitely interesting throwing the academy/hunger games aspect into this world as well. Even though I guessed the final reveal early on in the book, I kept hoping I was wrong, and it would take a surprising turn. While the "plot twists" were a bit predictable to me, I still enjoyed the ride this book took me on. Another downfall for me was the plot holes in the world building... I.E. if society has fallen and the world is in the aftermath of war, how are there trains running around the world? Just to take young adults to the trials to get into the golden city? How is the train maintained, the tracks clear, etc? However, I did enjoy the FMC & MMC and thought they were fleshed out nicely. I also enjoyed the side characters but wish some were developed more like Ashalin (sp?). I do find myself rooting for the MCs to succeed and find happiness together, which is obviously an important aspect for romantasy. Overall, was this an earth-shattering, mind-bending, terrific piece of literature? No. But was it the worst thing I've read this year? Also, no. This book has, to me, the bones of a great read & just needs a bit more to push it from an alright book to a great book. Overall ratings: Plot- 3.5⭐️ World building 3⭐️ Spice 2.5 🌶🌶 Main characters 4 ⭐️ Supporting characters 3.5⭐️
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Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2024
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Irene zamora
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
great book
Format: Kindle
I am really excited to meet the author at the book retreat this month. I really enjoyed this world that she built and most of the female main character Huntress is so awesome. She goes through a lot in this book and the ending; wow! I wouldn't have even guessed. I highly recommend everyone to read this book. I have been so lucky this year that almost all the books I have read have been, so far, 5 out 5 stars.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2026

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