Showing posts with label Erik Hassle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Erik Hassle. Show all posts
Track-by-Track: Erik Hassle - Mariefred Sessions
It seems as if EPs have enjoyed a sort of resurgence in the last few years. Many up-and-coming artists are opting to release a string of them rather than a full album. It allows for more music more often and caters to today's ADD culture. Luckily for Erik Hassle, whatever he releases is going to be worth hearing.. EP or album. And this is a particularly interesting release because it's a collaboration between Hassle and two members of HUGE Swedish rock band Kent. 1. Are You Leaving - The single. An atmospheric, mature electro pop number that just gets better and better the more you hear it. Hassle's vocals are some of the most evocative in the pop landscape right now, both in tone and phrasing. This is like a male version of one of Robyn's excellent singles. 10/10
2. Sometimes When It Rains - Continuing with the electro influence, this begins with a spare, squiggly synth arpeggio that runs throughout the entire song to excellent effect. It's got one of those slow-burning melodies that builds to a big chorus. 9/10
3. I Am Not An Island - More downtempo than the previous tracks, this has a melody that's a little more distant. It's not one of my favorites, but it's no slouch either. I'd give it a solid B. 8/10
4. Stay Away - This is the second single, and a good choice. It actually sounds a lot like something I could imagine Kings Of Leon singing--an earthy, powerful ballad with a cathartic chorus. I didn't initially love this, but it has really stuck with me more than anything on the EP. 10/10
5. Stains - The big ballad on the album. It has a very dramatic feel to it, especially in the first verse where it's just Hassle's vocals and an organ (or keyboards that sound like an organ). It's a beautiful piece, but I think it would be even more powerful if it was a little shorter. 8/10
6. Arrows - A constant build-up, but that's the problem I have with this track. It never really explodes into something memorable. Sure, the music takes a favorable shift around the three minute mark but the chant that ends the EP just feels a little lacking. It's probably my least favorite track on the album. 7/10
Album Grade: 8.7/10
Erik Hassle - Stay Away
"We know we ain't never gonna happen"
This is Erik Hassle's next single. Is it just me, or does this sound like something that could hit really big in the UK indie circle? Not so sure about America (it doesn't have a guest rapper, after all), but this sounds kind of similar to Noah & The Whale's new album, which seems to be doing quite well in the UK. Stay Away is far less electronic than Are You Leaving, but just as dark and propulsive. That chorus (and the haunting background vocals) is just stirring. The EP as a whole is pretty strong, too. And combined with his Taken EP from last year, you can compile an awesome "2nd album." I'm pleased to see that this release has really cemented Hassle's star power in his native Sweden. Next stop is the UK. Once he can get an in there, he could go worldwide.
Stay Away by erikhassle
(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the EP here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.
Erik Hassle - Sometimes When It Rains
"I can hear your heartbeat for miles"
Okay, confession. I haven't actually listened to the EP that this is taken from yet, but I'm very eager to. Erik Hassle hasn't ever released anything subpar, and his most recent single Are You Leaving is one of his best. The clips of the EP (particularly Stay Away) sound great and this track, while less instantly poppy, is a nice example of the more electronic sound he's been exploring with members of legendary Swedish band Kent. Hassle's vocals and songwriting skill are among the best out there at the moment and, although it's now become a cliché to say so, he should be much bigger worldwide than he is. Luckily, his native Sweden seems to finally be embracing him. His album was everywhere last Spring when I was in Stockholm, and the new single's getting heavy rotation on the radio. Like fellow Swede Robyn, Hassle's got the magic touch that takes pop music and gives it a mood. His songs are anything but generic.
(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the EP here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.
Erik Hassle - Are You Leaving (Official Music Video)
NEW - You can download from Erik Hassle's site Worlwide now!
Now, go pay for all of those songs you have on your Ipod. :)
Erik Hassle - If It Takes All Night
"That's just impolite"
After a fantastic debut album, Erik Hassle has released a new EP, complete with his non-album single (I totally called this one, btw) Standing Where You Left Me. Nothing on it is as good as that track, but it's still an interesting between-albums placeholder. I'm pretty fond of the midtempo If It Takes All Night, which features some incredible percussion and a gentle synth melody. It's another example of how well genre-crossing works for Hassle. He's got a relatively well-recognized type of pop voice, so it suits all different styles. He could have easily gone for a mainstream rock sound, like Gavin Degraw, but he's chosen to throw in elements of synthpop, r&b and electronica. Another track that interests me (for different reasons) on this EP is the slow-burning Last Rider, which features a chorus that is melodically identical to Dyno's (far superior) My Cocoa. Not only are they fellow Swedes, but they're managed by the same company. Hmmmm...
If It Takes All Night by erikhassle
(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the EP here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.
Erik Hassle - Standing Where You Left Me
"Man, you really hit me hard"
Much has already been said on this blog and others about the brilliant Swedish artist Erik Hassle. He's currently involved in a frustratingly stalling attempt to break through around the world. His excellent first single, Hurtful, is already a hit around Europe, and should be everywhere. His debut was just released in the UK, including a new (ie: crappier) cover and tracklist. Most of the songs remain intact, with a pair of new ones tacked on (not counting the deluxe version, which includes even more new tracks). One of the newbies is Standing Where You Left Me, which displays quite nicely the blending of genres that makes his album such a pleasant surprise. The synths that open this are gorgeous and the chorus has a thrust to it that, complemented by his vocals, is pure perfection. I love this guy, and I'm continually annoyed with the international handling of him. But this track is certainly a nice treat to come out of the reissue.
Erik Hassle - Standing Where You Left Me by alienhits
(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.
Top 50 Singles of 2009: 25-21
25. Erik Hassle - Don’t Bring Flowers
Even better than Hurtful, this straddled the line perfectly between acoustic, electro and pure pop. Puts its American counterparts to shame.
24. Mini Viva - Left My Heart In Tokyo
Xenomania proves their worth yet again with this adrenaline-pumping dance track. A new duo couldn’t ask for a better introduction to the charts.
23. Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment
Many expected him to go rock, but instead the Idol runner-up released his version of what sounds like a Britney Spears song. The difference is he can sing like nobody’s business.
22. Mika - We Are Golden
The most over-the-top single in a career of over-the-top singles, this annoyed many but delighted me. It’s approaching Freddie Mercury territory.
21. Malena Ernman - La Voix
A perfect melding of opera and dance, this deserved so much better than it received in Eurovision. The chorus is still stirring.
Even better than Hurtful, this straddled the line perfectly between acoustic, electro and pure pop. Puts its American counterparts to shame.
24. Mini Viva - Left My Heart In Tokyo
Xenomania proves their worth yet again with this adrenaline-pumping dance track. A new duo couldn’t ask for a better introduction to the charts.
23. Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment
Many expected him to go rock, but instead the Idol runner-up released his version of what sounds like a Britney Spears song. The difference is he can sing like nobody’s business.
22. Mika - We Are Golden
The most over-the-top single in a career of over-the-top singles, this annoyed many but delighted me. It’s approaching Freddie Mercury territory.
21. Malena Ernman - La Voix
A perfect melding of opera and dance, this deserved so much better than it received in Eurovision. The chorus is still stirring.
Top 50 Singles of 2009: 35-31
35. Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling
Ubiquitous this year, and more maddening each time it was played, it’s easy to forget that when this first came out it was instantly the group’s high point. I just don’t want to hear it again for awhile.
34. Aqua - Back To The 80’s
A shamelessly nostalgic dance track composed of little more than a list of 80’s high points. It should have been horrible, but the melody keeps it in epic territory.
33. Erik Hassle - Hurtful
The only song on this list that I think still has a chance of crossing over big in the States. Not usually my type of thing, but the sum is greater than its parts in this case.
32. Gossip - Heavy Cross
Primarily a showcase for Beth Ditto’s howling vocals, this muscular funk track surprised me this year. There’s something almost primal about it.
31. Caroline af Ugglas - Snälla snälla
Usually the type of song I hate to see in Melodifestivalen, this 70’s-styled ballad took the competition by storm and won a place in my heart. Very endearing.
Ubiquitous this year, and more maddening each time it was played, it’s easy to forget that when this first came out it was instantly the group’s high point. I just don’t want to hear it again for awhile.
34. Aqua - Back To The 80’s
A shamelessly nostalgic dance track composed of little more than a list of 80’s high points. It should have been horrible, but the melody keeps it in epic territory.
33. Erik Hassle - Hurtful
The only song on this list that I think still has a chance of crossing over big in the States. Not usually my type of thing, but the sum is greater than its parts in this case.
32. Gossip - Heavy Cross
Primarily a showcase for Beth Ditto’s howling vocals, this muscular funk track surprised me this year. There’s something almost primal about it.
31. Caroline af Ugglas - Snälla snälla
Usually the type of song I hate to see in Melodifestivalen, this 70’s-styled ballad took the competition by storm and won a place in my heart. Very endearing.
Top 20 Albums of 2009: 18-17
18. Erik Hassle - Hassle
This album was delayed more times than I can count, and although I heard it early in the year months before it was finally released, it’s held up as my favorite album of this singer-songwriter type genre from the past few years. Buoyed by the two singles, the record does a great job of mixing styles and painting a picture of a very promising artist. Lyrically, it’s one of the stronger albums on my countdown, and has a real underdog charm similar to my favorite album of 2007 (Laakso’s Mother, Am I Good Looking?). I still believe that with the right push this guy could be huge in America. I mean, we like Gavin Degraw, and this is a hundred times more interesting.
Myspace
17. Hot Leg - Red Light Fever
I was a massive fan of the Darkness, and I know that’s an unpopular thing to admit in some circles. Nevertheless, I was saddened when they broke up, as I think that Justin Hawkins is a really gifted (if immature) songwriter. Luckily, the debut effort by his next band sounded very much like the Darkness Part II. It’s not a perfect record, but the highlights are very high. Most importantly, it’s a lot of fun. The band is unashamed when it comes to the much maligned genre of 80’s pomp rock. Surprising, then, was the real artistry displayed here. The songs that aren’t intentionally tongue-in-cheek are impressive on a whole different level.
Myspace
This album was delayed more times than I can count, and although I heard it early in the year months before it was finally released, it’s held up as my favorite album of this singer-songwriter type genre from the past few years. Buoyed by the two singles, the record does a great job of mixing styles and painting a picture of a very promising artist. Lyrically, it’s one of the stronger albums on my countdown, and has a real underdog charm similar to my favorite album of 2007 (Laakso’s Mother, Am I Good Looking?). I still believe that with the right push this guy could be huge in America. I mean, we like Gavin Degraw, and this is a hundred times more interesting.
Myspace
17. Hot Leg - Red Light Fever
I was a massive fan of the Darkness, and I know that’s an unpopular thing to admit in some circles. Nevertheless, I was saddened when they broke up, as I think that Justin Hawkins is a really gifted (if immature) songwriter. Luckily, the debut effort by his next band sounded very much like the Darkness Part II. It’s not a perfect record, but the highlights are very high. Most importantly, it’s a lot of fun. The band is unashamed when it comes to the much maligned genre of 80’s pomp rock. Surprising, then, was the real artistry displayed here. The songs that aren’t intentionally tongue-in-cheek are impressive on a whole different level.
Myspace
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