Dan Bremnes’ “The Hero and the Villain” is a Christian pop album released on Jan. 16, 2026. The album explores themes of faith, anxiety, identity and vulnerability in Bremnes’ life. It consists mostly of upbeat electronic/pop music, but it also has a few more serious tracks, and the lyrics in each song represent a part of Bremnes’ story.
“Started With You” has a 2010 pop vibe. While this song expresses how everything in Dan Bremnes’ life started with Jesus, it also mentions his failings with sin. The lyrics state: “And I must have failed a thousand times, thought I’d lose my mind, and I swear I did, and I found no help.” But he turns it around by pointing to Jesus. “I thought for sure You’d leave me there, I thought for sure I’d die, but You kept holding on to me, now I’m alive.”
The style of “Fly Away” is upbeat, electronic music with a 2010 gamer vibe. It’s very enjoyable to listen to. The lyrical meaning of this song is ambiguous, but it’s possible Bremnes is struggling with sin again. He repeats in the chorus, “Don’t wanna chase you but I do” which sounds like Paul’s exasperation in Romans 7:15 “For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” This song also displays notes of grief or loss of some kind, when Bremnes asks, “What am I supposed to do with all my life…when you spread your wings and fly away.” The identity of this person or thing is unclear, possibly left up to the listener to interpret.
“Dreamland” sounds like Tame Impala with Chris Renzema’s lyrics. It’s a very fun song to listen to. The opening lyrics reveal part of Bremnes’ inner world, “Walking in my own daydream, Magic of the symmetry, All the colors within reach.” However, Bremnes brings us back down to earth, singing about how there are daily responsibilities despite his desire to escape. “I got mouths to feed, and the real world is calling me.” Despite “cold” reality, he clearly is not moping in the song. The vibe is upbeat and hopeful, reminding us that behind the veil of this world is still a vibrant eternity.
“Find Yourself” is somber and inspirational. The instrumentals are minimal because Bremnes wanted to bring out the lyrics. “Don’t give up when you’re getting close, you’re gonna find what you’re lookin’ for.”
“Hero and The Villain” is the title song of this album and its crux. It features electronic beats and melodies that sound like a Shawn Mendes song. Inside Bremnes is a war between good and evil, and he sings about being tired of it. The lyrics say, “I just wanna be free, Oh I just wanna be free, but there’s a hero and a villain living inside of me.” This whole album culminates in this song, giving insight on the push and pull inside all of us.
“Human” is a slower song. It displays both our helplessness and beauty as humans. The best lyric in this song is, “I know you’ll find glitter in the dust.” In “Eden”, Bremnes sings a melody to a child who gleefully repeats it back to him. It naturally flows into the next song, “Sweet Spot”, which is back to upbeat and sunny. The melody from “Eden” blossoms fully in the chorus, where it’s also picked up by trumpets. It just sounds like a summer day.
“Cortado” and “The Other Side of Summer” both highlight the good life and sound like something you would hear at a pool party. “Call Your Name” is a conversation with God, in which Bremnes remembers Jesus’ faithful presence. In “Distance”, Bremnes expresses his perceived distance with God. “Reaching for the Light” is upbeat and hopeful, giving the same vibes as Coldplay and Avicii. “Celebrate” is another pop song praising God. The last track of the album is an acoustic version of the title track.
Overall, this is a fun album with a good message. This deserves a four out of five stars, because the sound of this album is not exactly original: it incorporates sounds that were popular five or ten years ago, but altogether, it’s not boring, and it praises God.
Four out of five stars.
