“Horses” has this warm, meditative energy, anchored by her use of power-horse imagery to convey strength and grounding. Not that these animals aren’t also an analogy, they’re an absolute lifesaver, a storehouse of strength that never forgets the awesomeness of being able to keep moving forward, no matter what kind of manure life flings their way. Listening to “Horses,” you can sense her leaning into that history, turning it over and feeling it in her hands, not as something from a distant past but as an alive part of herself.
Her close friend Shelby Benjamin co-wrote the song, drawing an intimate conversation between past and present. Their partnership is an easy one, a shared moment of truth between friends that has only grown more resonant over the years. Produced by frogi, Shelby Benjamin, the production is clear as day and simple, all to keep Winona’s voice at the forefront of the story, which is soft yet no-nonsense. “Horses” is a strong reminder that some of the most powerful music comes from the simplest truths. Winona Oak doesn’t need to scream to be heard, she’s just asking us to step into her world, take a deep breath of fresh air, and remember what it was like when the only edge was the end.
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