Paul McCartney & Wings met their critics ,who argued that all substance had vanished from Macca’s music, by writing and performing a homage to the love song, Silly Love Songs, that has become on of the classic love songs of all time (listened to more than 65 million times on Spotify alone).

The song popped up in my head when preparing for this month’s blog playlist, because love is still the #1 ingredient in so much of contemporary music, inspiring the pop geniuses and the hit seekers alike. Perhaps we the audience need the love song more than ever, countering the sorry state of things around us.

So lower your guard and let the love flow, from the brilliant classic albums I have added this month to our annual look at the best of Eurovision – to a revival of the romantic composer Chopin.

Petter’s Short List contains all music reviewed in this blog post. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist changes every month.

Petter’s Long List contains all music previously reviews from December 2021 and onwards. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist is extended every month.

You may also listen to the singles and albums reviewed by clicking on the covers.

Tracks reviewed before December 2021 are available in Petter’s Blog Archive, found here.

Be the Wheel – Theo Katzman & 10 Good Songs

Californian Theo Katzmann knows how to write a song, and on his new album he has almost overdone himself, one catchy pop song after another, and with a clean backing track letting his voice and his lyrics dominate.

Bouquet Champêtre – Fleur

We are in a time capsule, taken back to the French chanson tradition of the 1960s by young Dutch singer Fleur. This bouquet of flowers is charming throughout, catchy tunes with just the right nostalgic touch.

Chopin: Piano Works – Anastasia Yasko

Frédéric Chopin wrote some of the most wonderful piano music ever composed. Young Russian pianist Anastasia Yasko, now reciding in Austria, has picked some of the (for me) lesser known pieces. Yasko makes thise beautiful and imaginative pieces come to life.

Desire, I Want To Turn Into You – Caroline Polachek

Competent vocalist Caroline Polachek has released an amazing collection, bursting with energy, imagination and variety. Although she has herself contributed to artists churning out bland contemporary pop music, there is nothing remotely bland on this album.

Gullokk – Solveig Slettahjell

One of jazz’ finest contemporary vocalists, Norwegian Solveig Slettahjell, has released a collection of cross-over songs, from Grieg to Swedish folk songs, and even for listeners who can’t understand the lyrics, I must assume ther beauty of the music and her velvety voice must send shivers down the spine of every listener. Another album that proves that there is no need to pour heavy arrangements on artists and songs that can handle the beauty of nakedness.

Living It Up – The Real Thing

A few months back I introduced The Real Think’s 90s album as a true classic. Now they’re back, sadly missing some band members, but with substitutions that really fits in with the groove of the remaining members. I know jazz isn’t for everybody, but I find it hard to understand those who can’t find anything enjoyable in this foot-thumping exercise.

Rainbow & Monsters – Maggie

Maggie is a Norwegian-Serbian young singer, releasing her first EP, some good and powerful pop songs, a bit on the bland side, but that goes for many new artists that tends to copy what they hear from the top 40s of the world. Still there is something extra on Rainbows & Monsters that lifts the collection a bit above the rest.

The Reset – Macy Gray & The California Jet Club

The actor, activist and musician Macy Gray has been with us for decades. With her new album The Reset she has brought her activism with her into her music in more ways than one. The themes of the songs are at times political statements, including the album cover – she has argued for a redesign of the American flag, by adding colours to the stars and adding two more, for Washington DC and Puerto Rico. It is a terrific and thought-provoking album.

Strange Dance – Philip Selway

Radiohead’s drummer Philip Selway has many strengths as a songwriter and lyricist, but not necessarily as a singer. As with another famous drummer in a famous band, Selway deserves, like Ringo (and here ends the comparison), to be listened to. Strange Dance offers many sad love songs with beautiful arrangements.

Voice Notes – Yazmin Lacey

Yasmin Lacey’s music is hard to pin down. She effortlessly jumps between genres and mesmerizes us with her peculiar but interesting voice, with funny, quiky lyrics and interesting musical leaps.

I am offering you a true smorgasboard of singles this month, many of the with a promise of new music soon to come.

So, readers and listeners, back to the annual exercise of listening to this year’s Eurovision Song Contest entries. I am not apologizing for taking you on this trip, because every year there are songs there that may not win – probably won’t win – but may be worth listening to anyway. This year there are no obvious winner, although both Sweden and Ukraine seem to be favourites. Loreen from Sweden takes part with a song that might become a hit, the rest will probably not make it even as far as the final. My slight personal favourite is Austria, with a quirky song about Edgar Allen Poe (!).

PS. I should tell you that I listen to all songs without knowing which country they represented, so no bias here…DS.

Painted From Memory – Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach

Not too long ago we received the sad news that Burt Bacharach has left us for good. His catalogue of songs is nothing less than remarkable, perhaps only Paul McCartney can match him in the history of pop music. His unlikely collaboration with Elvis Costello marks in my view the peak of his career. There is not one weak composition om Painted From Memory from 1998, this is pure brilliance. Any emerging songwriter should spend a week deciphering every single track, because song writing never gets better than this. I will never tire of this album.

Billion Dollar Babies – Alice Cooper

50 years ago, in 1973, record buyers made this album go to #1. Many albums from this era still stay with us, hopefully Alice Cooper’s Billion Dollar Babies is not one of them. The truth is I never bought into his weird universe; it is all a sham if you ask me. But to stay true to my promise to give you an historical lesson of what occurred back then, I have carefully picked a few tracks that a remotely playable even in 2023.

Although there are some very-much-contemporary-2023-albums and tracks in this month’s blog playlist, I realize that there is an unprecedented amount of musical back gazing as well, even from contemporary artists like Måneskin and The Lemon Twigs.

Maybe it is not so unprecedented. Artists have always been inspired by more than their contemporary peers. Still, the music business has changed, (for the worst in my opinion – sorry), since Elton John released his dazzling Piano Player album 50 (!) years ago. Would he have been able to have it released today? Would it have become first a hit, then a classic? My guess is that it would have been released, but I doubt it would have found its way into every playlist in the world, like it did in 1973. It is not 2023-mainstream enough.

Nostalgia is not only an unhealthy craving for the past. It is also a sign of an arid present. Still, there are oases to be found.

Welcome to this month’s playlist.

Petter’s Short List contains all music reviewed in this blog post. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist changes every month.

Petter’s Long List contains all music previously reviews from December 2021 and onwards. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist is extended every month.

You may also listen to the singles and albums reviewed by clicking on the covers.

Tracks reviewed before December 2021 are available in Petter’s Blog Archive, found here.

French chanteuse Gabi Hartmann follows in the tradition of many, performing songs in a wide spectre of genres – and in many languages. Madeleine Peyroux, Melody Gardot and Zaz ought to watch out.

American singer Samia follows in the footsteps of other contemporary artists as well, the likes of Billie Eilish, with very personal lyrics and a sad voice. Still, there is something quite original in Samia’s music, some of the arrangements are bordering on being a capella, and a true vulnerability shines through to the listener.

There are retro music and there’s Rachael & Vilray who recreate the music of the 30s, 40s and 50s to a tee. And nearly all songs are written today by Vilray Bolles himself, even more impressive, because the duo and the exquisite studio musicians make it sound as if we’ve dug out old 78s and played them on granny’s gramophone.

The Scottish indie-band Belle & Sebastian keeps on surprising, with an uncanny ability to turn out great pop songs again and again. They’ve been at it since the 1990s, and on Late Developers they sound fresher and more energetic than ever.

Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen is back with a truly contemporary pop album (and from my first paragraph you know that’s not only a compliment…) But as with Samia above, there is a certain amount of zest and originality in some of the tracks, and a lust for life feeling to the music. I think I have picked some tracks you may like.

If it is originality you want, go no further. The mix of Costa Rican/Spanish/Norwegian background gives us an artist who sound as if she is experimenting, but all she does is dip into her own gene pool and drag out a wonderful mix of flamenco, world music and Norwegian folk.

Is it possible to build a career on an ESC win? Absolutely. ABBA did it. And Italian band Måneskin try to do the same. This is their second album after the win, a rock’n’roll purist dream.

I keep my promise to include a classical album every month. Tine Thing Helseth is a trumpet player, releasing a soft spoken album with some evocative tracks of old and new compositions. An album to fall asleep to – in a good way – far away from marching bands and fanfares that many of you may think about when you see and hear a trumpet.

Bret McKenzie was part of the duo Flight of the Conchords, who you may remember from the hilarious television series with the same name. Now Bret is back, without the comedy and his partner. We are left with an exquisite and well crafted pop album that doesn’t make you laugh.

Only eight singles made the list this month, but your listening pleasure will not be harmed. Listen to Grammy winner Samara Joy, John Lennon’s talented son, The Lemon Twigs with a song that won’t leave your head anytime soon, plus many more.

Re-listening to Elton John’s 50 year old album brought a ton of memories back to me. But it also proved again what an amazing songwriter Elton is, together with his partner Bernie Taupin. Elton reached his creative peak this particular year, the first of two peaks – his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was just as amazing. I might come back to that later.

How can you match Elton’s album? Well, a different kind of classic was the soundtrack of Alan Parker’s The Commitments, perhaps the best music film ever. An unforgettable story with a soundtrack that rekindled the interest in Soul and Blues for a completely new audience. Andrew Strong was the shining star. Mustang Sally and Try a Little Tenderness became evergreens once more.

Welcome to a new year and to new music found hidden away in the great Spotify vault, mostly among the 20% rarely listened to. I am hunting what I consider great music from artists who are not necessarily on either top 40 lists or focused on by elitist reviewers. (Although occasionally I agree with the reviewers and/or the radio playlists makers, I have to admit…).

Thank you to those of you who give me feedback both on choices and with suggestions, that is so helpful! Some of you have asked me to add more classical music, and as of this month you will find at least one new album from the world of classical. I will also try to add genre to the description of each album, although not every artist is possible to pin down like that, so don’t take the generes too literary – and give albums a chance even if these are labeled with a genre you don’t normally listen to. These albums are in the list for a reason.

I will save some time in preparation by skipping sample tracks for each album and instead add a link directly to the album (Click on the cover) . I have also added covers to the singles, hope you like that.

My column of albums from 50 years ago moves on to 1973, another vintage year.

Petter’s Short List contains all music reviewed in this blog post. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist changes every month.

Petter’s Long List contains all music previously reviews from December 2021 and onwards. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist is extended every month.

You may also listen to the singles and albums reviewed by clicking on the covers.

Tracks reviewed before December 2021 are available in Petter’s Blog Archive, found here.

This is a genre I like, but struggle to find great new music. Luke Thomas is a good crooner, but the album has its faults. I have picked som great tracks for the playlist, though.

Polish cellist Maciej Kulakowski performs beautiful pieces by Debussy and Poulenc, but the most interesting part is the cello versions of some of the loveliest pieces ever written for the piano, Gnossiennes by Eric Satie. I still prefer the piano versions, but Kulakowski adds another layer to the music with his cello.

Anna of the North is rightly so from the North, in Gjøvik, Norway. There is very little craziness her, more like cool and summery, I would say. This is easy and uncomplicated pop, but still with a bit of soul.

Finally, Gilbert O’Sullivan is back! Not that he hasn’t released music since his heyday in the 70s, but most of the 15+ albums since then has been a bit disappointing. With Driven he shows off his quality, arguably among his best albums ever. I was really taken back to the first three albums and recognized the playfulness and song writing creativity from these classics. He is 75 now, just comes to prove that if you stay at it long enough….

Last blog list included the classic piano jazz album from Jan Johanson, an album that introduced jazz to a wider audience. If you enjoyed what you heard, you will most likely enjoy this evocative and oh so beautiful album from bassist Terje Gewelt and his pals.

This is rare album to be released these days, an instrumental album like we haven’t really heard since Mike Oldfield, Santana and others who made soundscapes, and played with and developed musical themes. This is as much a producer’s album as a musical artist’s.

Josephine Oniyama is a powerful singer-songwriter who made waves a decade ago with her first releases. Now she’s back with equally powerful songs that hits you with force. She jumps between different genres, but her songs are still easy to recognize as truly hers.

Jay-Jay Johanson was on my top 10 list in 2021, his alluring voice, ever interesting rhythms and contemporary productions are something I keep coming back to. I was disappointed by his 2022 cover album Silver Screen, but now all is forgiven. He is definitely best when he performs his own stuff.

Talk about an alluring voice: another great crooner is Paal Flaata, lead singer of Midnight Choir. This is a quite dark and introvert collection, but nevertheless sincere and powerful. The album is mostly filled with covers, but Flaata makes these familiar (and some unfamiliar) songs his own.

Norwegian band Woodheads has released a wonderful album, bringing the rock and pop sounds of 80s and 90s back to life. The album has a fresh live sound to it, as if you are in concert with these guys. The songwriting is equally fresh with no frills.

One of the best latin jazz singers and pianists in the world, Eliane Elias, is out with a new album, this time with more guitars than piano, which in a way quiets down the music to fit with the album title. Elias’ voice is like a massage on the ear drums.

I wouldn’t recommend listening to Japanese Joji if you’re in the middle of a break-up, it will only make it worse. This is not in any way talking this beautiful album down, Joji is an artist with his emotions on the outside, but he is also a skilled singer and songwriter. If you’re listening for Eastern influence on the album, you’re listening in vain.

Is it possible to have a career after (almost) winning Eurovision. Sam Ryder is trying hard and he may just succed. This is a fun and likeable album with one song after another with hit potential. Unfortunately, the producers are overdoing his falsettos, pouring on lyrics filled with platitudes, but particularly the quieter songs are beautiful and well worth listening to. When you have reached space, Sam, get rid of the cool producers and create even more of your own sound.

Some Scandinavian reviewers are trying to coin a new genre, Nordicana, as opposed to Americana. The main difference would only be geographical, a point proven by Norwegian singer Signe Marie Rustad. Her new EP sounds and feels like the best of Americana, down-to-earth, accoustic and silky. Absolutely worth listening to whether your’re in or outside the U.S.

Lots of new singles out, many artists are dipping their toes in the water to see whether you are ready for their upcoming album releases. Great to see – and hear – Beverley Craven, Susanna Hoffs, Mariza, Cigarettes After Sex and William Hut back in the ring.

All tracks are in this month’s blog playlist, or you can click on the singlecover to listen to each one separately.

Melanie Safka may not have liked me to present Garden in the City as a classic album, since it was released against her will by the record company she had just left. But for me this is a true classic, an album I came back to again and again, both to the wonderful covers, like Dylan’s Lay, Lady, Lay and Gershwin’s Somebody Loves Me, and all the original songs written by Melanie. Her voice is mesmerizing and inimitable, making Melanie one of the greatest folk singers of all time.

Can you believe this record is 50 years old? It is still so fresh, with classics like The Right Thing to Do and what is maybe the bst pop song of all time, You’re so Vain. The mystery still lives on of who is the subject of the song. Mick Jagger was for a long time suspect # 1 (and he actually did participate on the record as a back-up singer), but later actor Warren Beatty seems to be the main suspect.

As an afterthought, I wish some of the contemporary female singers would lend their ears to Carly Simon’s effortless and expressive singing style, we would avoid all the horrible sobs and vocal leaps and trills that we are being pestered with today (yes, I am old and grumpy, but I am right.)

As in 2021, my ears have enjoyed themselves throughout 2022. As has become a yuletide custom, I give you a list of the ten albums that I have enjoyed the most in 2022, albums which I have kept coming back to throughout the year. The value of music, as the value of any art, lies in the eye of the beholder, so my list may not necessarily be equal to your list. Still, I hope it inspires many of you to listen to albums you might otherwise have missed.

80% of of all the listening on Spotify is supposedly to no more than 20% of the tracks available. Which means you are probably missing a lot of good stuff. The whole purpose of my blog is to bring to the forefront new music that wouldn’t normally get the attention it deserves. As my logline says: I hunt the best music so you don’t have to. (I have added Metacritic’s total rating out of 100, when available. The fact that only a fraction of the albums are universally reviewed, tells a story of how difficult it is to break through for an artist or an album that doesn’t break the surface. And hopefully proves the point that a blog like mine serves a purpose)

So, on with the show. Below you will find a number of great runners-up albums (in alphabetical order) , followed by my final 10. Click on the album cover, and you will be taken directly to the whole album on Spotify. I have also put together a separate playlist with the top 10 albums, found HERE

Then on to my special favourites. Albums that stood out and that I enjoyed more than anything else I have listened to this year.

So, these are my top ten choices of 2022. (Some of the albums were released in 2021, but reviewed by me in 2022. )

To see how others review the album, I have added quotes from other blogs and publications.

You’ll find a link to the individual albums by clicking on the cover.

«Taken in its totality, I Don’t Know What I’m Doing is a remarkably accomplished feat, one built around Pallot’s personality and energy. Poised and elegant, but authentic and true, the album is a superlative example of what someone can do in the pop genre when they’re focused on the art above all else.»

Quentin Harrison in Albumism.

«Three Dimensions Deep will doubtless make it onto many a Spotify playlist; the record boasts club-ready bops and chill bangers that can please almost any aural palate. When you dig beneath the surface, though, Mark imparts universal wisdom and gives listeners a much-needed moment to appreciate ourselves.»

Clare Martin in Paste Magazine

«After the fantastic opener Dangerous, which pokes fun at Morrison’s status as the pot-stirring, sneering cynic, the rest of the album’s lyrics are obsessed with lying politicians and a brainwashed nation. All good points to discuss, but most of it is just too on the nose… A shame, as the arrangements and playing on What’s It Gonna Take? are tasteful in the extreme and Van Morrison’s voice sounds as good as any time over the last couple of decades.»

John-Paul Davies in Buzz

«Kingmaker is Neilson’s finest record yet, and a strong argument that she might herself be the current king of country music…Kingmaker finds the most gifted singer in modern popular music using her extraordinary voice to elevate and inspire those who are too often voiceless.»

Jonathan Keefe in In Review Online

«..Salvador Sobral is back with the EP «SAL», a work that brings us the talent of Salvador, interpreting all songs on piano in its most naked and stripped form. The EP….has 4 new songs and has an intimate and familiar atmosphere.»

Glam Magazine

«…it may be the most surprising record of his career. It’s definitely one that demands repeat listening and deep dives into the lyrical content as well as the structure of both the songs and the album. While it’s hard to look at a career as long and varied as Lerche’s and call anything a definitive album, Avatars of Love comes about as close as one could expect.»

Tim Sendra in Allmusic

«Though known for her Ella Fitzgerald-esque skill at interpreting songbook standards and French chanson, Salvant has proven herself a literate and nuanced songwriter in her own right. She brings all of these aspects together yet again on Ghost Song, this time adding in more contemporary cover tunes and other folk traditions she hadn’t yet explored.»

Matt Collar in Allmusic

«The bleak but beautiful moments here represent a suave, dignified coda for an artist whose work never quite got the hugs it deserved.»

Uncut Magazine

«At eleven tracks long, Rachel@Fairyland is a mature sonic offering from Morris, and comes teeming with lush vocals, delicately arranged instrumentation and poetic lyricism that offer snapshots into the life and times of the Blackpool native.»

Lana Williams in The Line of Best Fit

«Alegoría is wonderful, evocative, searing, and true; it is Moreno’s first recording to fully showcase her developed sophistication as a singer and a producer, as well as underscore her maturity as a songwriter. Get it.»

Tom Jurek in Allmusic

And as a little treat at the end, here is wonderful Gaby performing «Nothing’s Wrong» from her superb album Allegoría.

Happy new year, everyone, please come back in January 2023 for the first new picks.

In jazz and in classical it is more than expected that artists do their own interpretations of the the Great Songbook and of four hundred years of classics, repectively.

In pop and rock, not so much.

Rather, remakes of songs from the ever evolving pop and rock catalogue are often being spoken about with disdain. Which is sad, really, because there’s no reason why new interpretations of «old» pop and rock songs should be less interesting than works from the jazz and classical era.

In this last blog list of 2022 (except the Best albums list that will come later), there are a number of albums with remakes and tribute songs. I hope you like them, mixed as they are with great new late-year releases of original music.

Petter’s Short List contains all music reviewed in this blog post. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist changes every month.

Petter’s Long List contains all music previously reviews from December 2021 and onwards. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist is extended every month.

You may also listen to the singles and sample tracks from each album reviewed by clicking on the title.

Tracks reviewed before December 2021 are available in Petter’s Blog Archive, found here.

Sample track: Difference

The wonderfully quirky pianist and barytone singer is back with another quirky and interesting new album.

Sample Track: God Turn Me Into a Flower

When reviewers run out of superlatives, you know you’re on to something special. I haven’t really grasped the absolute greatness and timelessness of this collection yet, not that I don’t like it, I really do. I’ll keep listening. Promise.

Sample track: Only Lies

A tiny bit disappointed, had hoped for an even better album from Caitlin Rose after so many years of absence. Not that it isn’t pleasant and enjoyable….

Sample track: Little Sister

Nu-punk, but oh so sweet, from Wild Thea.

Sample track: Show Me Where It Hurts

Quite impressive pop album from Norwegian songstress Charlotte Qvale, both a great singer and songwriter.

Sample track: Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone

One of mye favourite groups of all time has existed for 50 years. I have seen and heard them live countless times, and although two of the four are no longer with us, this still sounds like the real thing. However, I have never been fond of mixing symphony orchestras with jazz, and I will not make an exception here. I had wished for a big band album, but I take what I have been given. It is still a gem.

Sample track: You’re Still the One

The Boston-based Lake Street Dive is out with another album covering some of their favourite songs. Different, but familiar.

Sample track: Coming Back To You

Leonard Cohen deserves to be tributed, but it is hard work, since he was so closely connected to his songs. Still, there are some very good and interesting tracks on this new tribute album, thanks to interpretations by some of pop music’s best performers.

Sample track: Question..?

As with Weyes Blood, the new Taylor Swift album has received rave reviews (mostly), and fans are ecstatic. I am not all that thrilled, but recognize that she knows how to create a contemporary album with good music, well worth listening to. But timeless? I don’t think so.

Sample track: Gonna Run

Keane vocalist, 43-year old Tom Chaplin, has a magnificent voice that suits this melancholic collection of new songs. A bit boring and uninteresting at times, but I have as usual picked the best bits for you.

Sample Track: Just Wanted to Know

Fans of electronica duo Röyksopp finally received a pay-off for their patience. A surprisingly broad collection with something for everyone, and lots of great contributors.

Sample Track: En dag på jorden

My friend Terje Formoe’s new album of quiet, deep felt and contemplative songs about love, the sea, the unrushed, should bring tranquilty to any listener.

Sample track: You Have What It Takes

I would also call a-ha’s latest album a tribute album, but in a different sense: this is a tribute to the north, the arctic, to solitary landscapes shaped by ice and snow. I think it is a beautiful collection, arguably one of their best for many years.

Sample track: Sweet Creature

The only thing I know about this collection of albums – now 26 in a row! – is that it derives from a collective of Los Angeles Artists called Scary Pockets. No matter, there are some great covers on the 26th album, as there are on many previous albums in the series.

Sample track: Victory Dance

They’re called jazz’ great party band, and these energetic boys from London certainly deserve this accolade.

Guarantee That I’d Be Loved – Sondre Lerche & Kringkastingsorkesteret

På et sekund – Marit Larsen

Reasons – Rick Grove

Rumor – Ingrid Jasmin

A Sky Like I’ve Never Seen – Fleet Foxes & Tim Bernardes

Souvenirs – Robert Ellis

Sample track: Gudbuy T’Jane

Glamrockers Slade was out with their second album just about now 50 years ago. Their easily distinguishable style is apparent on each track. This is great rock’n’roll with a good dose of humour. It got us out on the dance floor in 1972, and I expect it still does.

Sample track: Visa från Utanmyra

The 1964 album that made Swedish jazz world famous and jazz in general mainstream. The brilliant pianist Jan Johansson picked folk songs from all over Sweden and interpreted them in his distinct way and ghave them a jazz feel that resonated with listeners everywhere. A truly classic collection!

In the same way the pandemeic influenced popular music in 2020 and 2021, I suspect the outrageous attack by Russia on Ukraine has made an impact on recent albums, not only directly, like Deutsche Grammofon’s lovely tribute to Ukrainean classical music, but also in a more subtle way. I seed to detect a more recilienct feel to a lot of music, through both reflection and defiance. Then again, normalcy is also a kind of recilience, giving the agressors the finger by going on with our lives unaffected. Whatever the inspiration, hopefully you’ll find new favourites and happy memories in the playlist I have concocted for you this month.

Petter’s Short List contains all music reviewed in this blog post. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist changes every month.

Petter’s Long List contains all music previously reviews from December 2021 and onwards. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist is extended every month.

You may also listen to the singles and sample tracks from each album reviewed by clicking on the title.

Tracks reviewed before December 2021 are available in Petter’s Blog Archive, found here.

Sample Track: Sonar Otra Vez

Guatemalan born American singer Gaby Moreno has with her seventh album given us a smorgasbord of an album, so varied and surprising that it is almost impossible to pinpoint to any genre or style. Of course she is primarily influenced by South American music, new and old, but she also dives into a number of other genres on this fabolous collection of personal songs.

Sample Track: Pepper

American band Death Cab for Cutie has been around for more than 25 years, long enough to have heavily influenced the indie music genre more than many other bands. Their new album sticks with the formula that has given them success before, maybe even more confident and polished than when they started. Highly enjoyable!

Sample Track: Panier Su La Tête, ni chanté

Rosemary Stendley is a recent new favourite vocalist of mine, the versatile singer who knows no musical boundaries and has released both classical, jazz and folk music for our enjoyment. On Déliryom she cooperates with Marjolaine Karlin to make something as peculiar as a an album based on the poetry of Reunionese poet Alain Péters. The album brings a much needed sense of constant surprise and freshness, even though I am unable to enjoy the lyrics that inspired it in the first place.

Sample Track: Ovule

Few artists has made a more lasting first impression on me than Björk, I was thoroughly shooked and shocked by her insisting, sorrowful voice. Her first international album, Debut, is still among my all-time favourites (you’ll probably will be reacquainted with it in a future post…) But Björk has moved forward faster than I have, and it has for some time been difficult for me to follow her development into more and more (at least for me) inaccessible musical landscapes. Fossora is no different; still I can’t be anything but intrigued by her compositions, surprising rhythms and musical arrangements. I have made a daring pick of tracks for you, please listen with an open mind.

Sample Track: Nigel the Gannet

You should expect something completely different from a band called The Burning Hell than what they are serving you. Garbage Island is a funny, perky album of songs about god knows what, sea birds and ska bands and beaches and ornithologists. Maybe you’ll love it, for who can hate songs starting with «They’ve all been making plans for Nigel, and by them I mean the ornithologists”, Nigel being a gannet…and it goes on from there, into looney land.

Sample Track: Time

The Jazz Butcher is Pat Fish, a British poet and singer, who sadly died last year. The Highest in the Land, his last album, was recorded up to his death. He left a great colelction for us to enjoy, witty, absurd, but always interesting, both musically and lyrically. Fish made no apologies for his lifestyle nor his music, and was razor sharp one moment and hopelessly romantic the next moment. From such a mind comes great music. He sums it all in the brilliant track Time.

Sample Track: In Real Life

If you’re in a lean back mode, dig out Mandy Moore’s In Real Life. This is harmless pop from romcom actress Moore, without being bland and uninteresting. The songs are all well crafted and impeccably performed.

Sample Track: Melody

I expect all compositions on the Music for Ukraine were made long before Putin’s cowardly attack on the country in February, still with the war as a backdrop, the music makes the skin cringe, reflecting a beautiful land and a recilient people. It is a bit sad that it would take a war to bring this beauty of an album to us, but now that it is here for us all to listen to, enjoy it and let it inspire us to never forget and never stop supporting Ukraine.

Sample Track: Punus

78-year old reggae idol Jimmy Cliff is back with what you might call a modern reggae album, but safely secured within the genre. Cliff continues to give us music inspired by social consciousness, still simple and accessible, sometimes even a bit naive and too simplistic for my taste.

Sample Track: Estrada Dividia

Salvador Sobral could possibly have been one of the world’s most famous crooners by now, following his astounding win in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest with Amar Pelois Dois, if he had started just to record in English, with the powerful international music industry building him up. Instead, he has refused to follow that route, and has continued to record in Portuguese and consistently followed his musical heart. Now he has released an EP of ballads with his own piano playing as the only accompaniment. The music is so beautiful it hurts. I experenced Sobral in concert two years ago, and it still stands as one of the greatest concert experiences of my life. We were 1500 people present. We haven’t told another soul.

Sample Track: Call It a Trend

Female solo guitarist Tora Dahle Aagård’s band TORA is out with a new jazz/blues/pop/funk album. Tora is not only a great guitarist, but also a sensitive vocalist, and she puts a mark on all these tracks. Without that mark this may have been too much of what we have heard before on similar albums by similar bands. But Tora has added the necessary ingredient to make it palpable: herself.

Sample Track: A Drowning in Mexico City

Kenyan born Ondara reminds me so much of folk singers like Dan Fogelberg and Gordon Lightfoot, with his highly emotional voice. Ondara’s music could easily have fit in with their catalogues as well. Spanish Villager No 3., is a kind of concept album, a travel from city to city all around the world, while sticking to a similar musical formula throughout.

Sample Track: Where Have You Been

I think all releases by Norwegian artist Mimmi (last name Tamba) has been impressive and enjoyable. I wish many more would discover this amazing singer. Perhaps with this album, there seems to be some kind of breakthough, a greater number of reviews, most very positive. Like mine, here. There is so much talent, such versatility both in performance and composing.

Sample Track: Colours

Pianist and composer Alexis Ffrench is something so rare as a soul and classical musician. His cross-over music obviously appeals to both classical connoiseurs and lovers of contempoary romantic piano music.

2 Be Loved – Lizzo

Black Obsidian – Caitlin Rose

Delighted – Benjamin Clementine

Fais Gaffe! – Fleur

For What It’s Worth – Stevie Nicks

Kindred – Josephine Onitama

My Suitcase and Me – Anneli Drecker & Ketil Bjørnstad

MZUNGU (hvit mann) – Sondrey

A New Life – Amy Stroup

Nobody’s Sweetheart – Caitlin Rose

Nothingness – Woodheads

Pieces – Yazmin Lacey

Pusterom – Agnete Saba

Really Wanting You – Stephen Bishop

Você e Eu (You and I) – Eliane Elias

Who’s Gonna Love Me Now – MIKA

Sample Track: Melody Motel

Chris Difford and Glen Tilbrook are Squeeze. Well, many others, including Jools Holland could proudly call themselves band members, but most of the irreverent, fun, catchy music came from the duo. This is music to wake up to and stay awake with, rarely dance music, but just music that gets me going on the dreariest of days. Frank from 1989 wasn’t their biggest hit, in fact, the record company kicked them out after the release, but I love every track, and has made the difficult choices – if you like what you hear, listen to the whole album, in fact listen to everyting else these two boys and their play friends released.

Sample Track: Superstition

Multi-talented artist Stevie Wonder had a great year in 1973, 50 years ago. He first released the album Music of My Mind and soon after Talking Book. This is not so much a classic album as it is an album with lots of songs that have become classic, like You Are the Sunshine of My Life and Superstition. Single releases kept the album popular for more than a year. Stevie Wonder had discovered the synthesizer, using it as a second voice on tracks like Superstition.

Is it a coincidence, or is it a fact that female artists produce considerably more interesting music these days? Part of it could be me, I admit, if pushed I tend to prefer female voices to male voices. But I don’t think it is down to personal preference; women seem to excel in many musical genres, they are bolder, freer and less likely to follow the pied pipers. Not that I don´t have male artists in this month’s list; Tom Chaplin, Benjamin Clementine, Metteson and Michael Head are out with excellent new music, and my classic album of the month includes the very, very, very deep voice of Lee Hazlewood. And – 50 years ago David Ziggy Stardust Bowie crept up the charts. So there’s some kind of balance there. Still,at least for this entry, women rule….

Sample Track: The Perfect Pair

Bea Kristi just turned 23 years old. On her second album she has har glaze backwards, to the pop music even before her birth. This is easy, accessable pop, performed with a voice imitating (?) innocence and vulnerability. Beatopia was Bea’s secret kingdom when she was little and had to move from the US to London.

Sample Track: American Kid

Michael Head has been around a bit longer than Bea Kristi. He debuted in 1981, and although he never reached superfame, he has always been there, either as a solo artist or with his bands Shack and The Pale Fountains. Dear Scott has the assurance that only an artist who don’t have to mark his territory any more can produce. This is mature rockn’roll and pop.

Sample Track: Firearm

Back to the Tiktok generation and young Lizzy McAlpine, out with her second album and her first step into musical maturity. Because McAlpine is more than silly dance videos, she knows how to play with words and dress them perfectly in music tailorfit to describing her sometimes ironic and oh-so-personal stories about young love life.

Sample Track: Newspaper Girl

The Queen of Brazilian Jazz is back, 80 years old, with a inspired new album together with her daughter Diana. She was 65 when she last released a new album, so If you will is truly an occasion. If you like Brazilian-infused jazz, this album is «gefundenes fressen», if you’re new to the rhythms of South America, you may be in for a treat.

Sample Track: King of Country Music

On to one of this months most interesting and impressive albums, from New Zealand’s diva Tami Neilson. Kingmaker is a mixture of sultry ballads and roots-inspired tracks, at times drifting into country music like our classic artists of the month, Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood perfected. I have listened to this album all month and haven’t tired yet.

Sample Track: Plastic Off the Sofa

I guess superdiva Beyoncé’s new album is best listened to on the dance floor, bursting as it is with energy, sensuality and musicality. As I mostly stay off the dance floors of the world these days, I still enjoy the richness and creativity of RENAISSANCE from my easy chair.

Sample Track: Little Earl

I don’t know if country soul is a musical genre, but if it is, The Delines, is defintely among the better representatives. The relaxed but impressionable voice of Amy Boone carries the short stories from main songwriter Willy Vlautin so well. The sound of The Delines makes me feel that everything is well with the world, although the lyrics sometimes tell me otherwise.

Sample Track: The Challenge

Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac superfame released an album with Lindsay Buckingham last year that was among the musical hightlights of the year. Her retrospective new album offers only two new songs, the rest is new recordings of her solo releases. That doesn’t make Songbird any worse.

Sample Track: Horses

Surrender from Maggie Rogers is full of zest and energy. She doesn’t look inwards, she belches out both in lyrics and in vocal performance. This is only her second album, but the deserved attention she gets indicates this is an artist who will stay in the limelight for a long time.

Sample Track: Lighthouse

Although I am impressed with Maggie Rogers, Dubstar and front woman Sarah Blackwood appeal even more to the heart. Yes, it is a bit 90s retro – not that I miss that decade so much – but it is the non stop good feeling that their music creates, hummable, with a constant Britpop beat to keep you going.

Sample Track: Balancing the Scales

Few have missed the controversy surrounding Barlow & Bear’s so-called unofficial musical based on the Netflix series Bridgerton. It started out as a kind of David & Goliath moment, with Goliath viewing David as innocent and harmless. But when Barlow & Bear took the concept out of TikTok and out in the real world. Netflix was not amused anymore. Although the music sounds a bit like a parady on a contemporary musical – and perhaps was meant to be just that, I can’t but be impressed with the quality of the project.

Lots of interesting releases this month, both A-sides and B-sides of singles please the outer and inner ear. I have added new music from Billie Eilish, Benjamin Clementine, Manhattan Transfer, Röyksopp, Tom Chaplin and Chaka Kahn, among others. But listen to them all, they’re all in the list for a good reason.

The 30^th – Billie Eilish

California – Bonny Light Horseman

Copening – Benjamin Clementine

Exile – Bonny Light Horseman

God Only Knows – Manhattan Transfer & WDR Funchausorchester

Gravitational – Tom Chaplin

If I Was The Captain Of This Ship – Madrugada

If You Want Me – Röyksopp & Susanne Sundfør

Ikke tro jeg vil glemme – Eigil Berg

Maybe I’m Amazed – stories & Tema Siegel

Moon River – stories & Emily Bear

Never Let Me Go – Metteson

Nick of Time – Lake Street Dive

Rip Tide – Thea & The Wild

Silence – Ariza & Abigail Barlow

Song To The Siren – Loah

Stay Love – Neon Ion

TV – Billie Eilish

Vibe – The Editors

Weakend – Benjamin Clementine

Woman Like Me – Chaka Khan

Sample Track: Elusive Dreams

This a strange partnership, which for me brings back many childhood memories. My older brothers didn’t own many albums; in the sixties singles rocked; but the Nancy & Lee LP was on the turntable constantly. I got used to hearing the two unlikely voices singing together, with a full-blown orchestra in the background and a sound that never came back after the sixties. Revisiting this universe now, almost sixty years later, was a great thrill.

Can you believe it is 50 years ago? David Bowie didn’t only record this album, he created a complete alter ego in Ziggy Stardust, and we all bought into it. It was so different and wild and out-of-this-world that it started a life-long relationship with Bowie, even when he turned into himself again. The album is among the best glam rock albums ever, so much better than what came from his arch rival T. Rex. And while Marc Bolan’s career ebbed out, Bowie’s never stopped growing. Finally, a fun fact. The cover photo was taken in a side street of Regent’s Street in London. For a while in the 1990s when I was producing a children’s series there, I had a desk in the building next door, looking down at the iconic corner, and not knowing until much later how iconic it actually was.

Mostly I introduce you to new and old music that I highly recommend. But – with the introduction of my new column «50 Years Ago» , presenting number one albums from 1972 , there’s bound to be albums I’m not particularly fond of (like last month’s Deep Purple album). With Exile on Main Street, the Rolling Stones album that made number one for weeks 50 years ago, we’re unfortunately at it again. I have this to say: Even though I have seen Stones live and really enjoyed it, I can’t phantom how it is possible to rate the Stones higher than Beatles, like some would.

But don’t take my word for it. A perhaps surprising voice in favour of The Beatles is Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead: The Rolling Stones were the mummys boys they were all college students from the outskirts of London. They went to starve in London, but it was by choice, to give themselves some sort of aura of disrespectability. I did like the Stones, but they were never anywhere near the Beatles not for humour, not for originality, not for songs, not for presentation. All they had was Mick Jagger dancing about. Fair enough, the Stones made great records, but they were always shit on stage, whereas the Beatles were the gear.”

Well, enough said… I have picked a few decent songs from the 50 year old album, and more importantly, I have found some absolute gems from recent releases, so be prepared to be pleased.

Petter’s Short List contains all music reviewed in this blog post. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist changes every month.

Petter’s Long List contains all music previously reviewed from December 2021 and onwards. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist is extended every month.

You may also listen to the singles and sample tracks from each album reviewed by clicking on the title.

Tracks reviewed before December 2021 are available in Petter’s Blog Archive, found here.

Sample Track: Shine a Light

Sample Track: Morning Elvis

With her fifth album, Florence Welch returns doing musically more or less the same as what made her a star, but with lyrics that are tougher and maybe more introvert than before. Her strong and powerful voice is still the main attraction, though, together with symphonic arrangements, again and again lifting us from near silence to crescendos.

Sample Track: Trouble

I still haven’t watched the movie Elvis, but understand it is another great biographical movie about one of popular music’s greatest icons. The soundtrack album offers some interesting cover songs, and Austin Butler performs convincingly like Elvis himself. However, some of the remixes of Elvis’ own songs are absolutely outrageously horrible, with heavy beats that are killing one song after another, adding very little, taking away why these songs were great in the first place. As you can imagine, these particular songs are not in my playlist.

Sample Track: Without Malice Towards None (from Lincoln)

Few contemporary composers have created more memorable pieces than film composer John Williams. In light of that, I was a bit surprised that so few of his most enduring pieces were not included in this collection. Well, there are still some absolutely beautiful compositions included. Master cellist Yo-Yo Ma interprets the music of Williams in a way that draws you into whatever mood Williams has set for each piece. Lovely and accessible classical music.

Sample Track: Marian and Albert

Singer/songwriter Cris Williamson is, like so many other artists born in the 1940s and early 50s, still going strong and producing some of their best work late in life. Harbor Street reminds me a bit of last year’s excellent album from Peggy Seeger, First Farewell. This is an album performed with self-confidence, with an artist who has got nothing more to prove.

Sample Track: Coin

I have followed Russian-American singer/songwriter Regina Spektor for years. I like her pianobased pop music, a kind of a well-behaved Kate Bush, writing not-so-intimate stories with her songs. On her new album, she experiments a lot, pushing the verse-chorus-bridge-chorus formula in interesting ways.

Sample Track: Master Builder

Another interesting piano-based singer/songwriter is Nerina Pallot. She reminds me quite a bit of Regina Spektor, so if you like one, you most likely like both (and the opposite is true, too, I guess) There are major differences between the two, though: Pallot definitely puts herself and her personal life into the equation; and she is less dependent upon the piano when composing and performing. And she’s British.

Sample Track: Children of the Stars

Scottish singer Paolo Nutini was among UKs most popular male artists, and suddenly, in 2016, he stopped recording, and did not release more music until this year, when Last Night in the Bittersweet was released. The new album was definitely worth the wait, both critics and audiences seem to agree. And I agree. Nutini is hard to pin down, his range is rare, from rock to pop to soul, and his voice can handle anything.

Sample Track: 2am

Over to happy, guitar-based rock’n’roll. Foals is the sound of summer, a bit Oasis but definitely with their own sound, rough at times, mellow at others. The tunes are catchy – maybe two or three too many, but that’s what you’ve got me for: finding the best tracks.

Sample Track: Wall In Your Heart

It comes as no surprise to those who have followed my blog over the years that I have a weak spot for country artist Shelby Lynne. Her latest album of spirituals was nothing but brilliant. and now she’s back with an album of originals again. Some critics were very disappointed; I was not one of them. Her wonderful alto voice, the happy beats, the great songwriting is (mostly) there. My weak spot hasn’t been weakened.

Sample Track: They Sing At Night

Sundowners take me back to harmony groups of the 60s, Peter, Paul & Mary, Mamas & The Papas, The Seekers, but still in new wrapping. There is also a bit of First Aid Kit in the sound of this album. It all sounds sweet and warm, but I miss a bit of fun, that’s all. Still, there are some memorable tracks on the album, so I keep listening.

Sample Track: Go Dancing

Rae Morris is one of the most talented singer/songwriters I have come across for a long time. Yes, it is sweet and maybe not so challenging, but her music is creative, quirky and different. The world that she is creating with her lyrics and smart melodies, is a world I would like to be invited in to. For one reason or another Morris hasn’t captured the zeitgeist; her new album has fared worse than her previous releases. I do hope that will change. Listen and see if you agree.

Sample Track: Willow’s Song

The first thing you notice when listening to Katy J Pearson is her somewhat piercing voice. Do I like it or does it bother me? Next, she never stays in one place musically: you think you’re listening to indie pop, then there is the typical Top 40 material, then back to experimental and oh-so-strange. It is interesting, absolutely, and I do like much of it. But does it bother me a bit, too?

Sample Track: Little Hill

The next album might bother some of you. Benny Bock is the man behind the pop phenomenon Weeknd. His solo album Vanishing Act is about as far away from Weeknd as you can come. These tracks are jazzy soundscapes, interesting, at times beautiful, thought provoking, but to me always agreeable to listen to. Give it a try.

Sample Track: What’s It Gonna Take?

An «interesting» album to end this month’s album reviews: Van Morrison is out with his 43rd (!) studio album, and if you shut your ears to his lyrics, you’d probably say this is great rhythm’n’blues in old-fashioned Van Morrison style. But Van the Man is angry, and he doesn’t like much of what’s going on these days, he doesn’t believe in vaccines, and rants on like, as one reviewer put, like a drunk redneck uncle. Still I listen to him; I can take it, I don’t have to like his opinions, but I like his music. Sometimes it is OK to listen to someone outside your echo chamber.

There’s some very interesting singles releases as well this month. You’ll find links to them below. Kenyan Ondara, Greek-Norwegian Amanda Tenfjord with her distinct voice, a new welcome realease from Swedish duo First Aid Kit, an «entertaining» new single from 79-year old Barry Manilow, an amazing new track from cross-over singer Rosemary Standley, two lovely tracks from Norwegian vocalists Mimmi and AURORA, a great pop track from Tom Grennon. Among others. Enjoy!

An Alien in Minneapolis – Ondara

All In – Amanda Tenfjord

Angel – First Aid Kit

Blue is Just a Colour – Georgia Cécile

Dancin’ in the Isles – Barry Manilow

Exactly What I Needed – Michael Rault

Fall in Love With a Girl – Cavetown & Orla  Gartland

Isis und Osiris – Birds on a Wire, Rosemary Standley & Dom La Nena

Melocoton (The Donka Donk Song) – Subwoolfer

A Potion for Love – AURORA

Remind Me – Tom Grennan

Sonny The Strong – Gaz Coombes

Tonight – Mimmi

Yours – Conan Gray

Sample Track: Scratch My Back

I was lucky enough to work with Swedish-Norwegian jazz band, The Real Thing, in the 1990s, when they were the house band in a live TV series I produced. I just fell in love with their sound, a perfect mix of Paul Vagnberg’s Hammond B3 organ, Sigurd Køhn’s sax and Steffan William-Olsson’s guitar. On A Perfect Match the music was further enhanced by one of Scandinavia’s most brilliant big band, Bohuslän. The record is now also a tribute to Sigurd Køhn, who tragically died in the 2004 tsunami in Thailand.

Sorry for the delay, readers and listeners. I am not going to bore you with excuses, only to say that it has been a busy few months. Hopefully, 100 new tracks will serve as some kind of redemption from my side.

50 years ago, in 1972, Deep Purple haunted the charts all over Europe, so let’s start with looking back. Funnily, many artists in today’s list seem to do just that, look back – some even have been active back then, from Van Morrison to Mick Jagger, but when listening to the playlist I promise you will be introduced to new, exciting younger artists as well. The classic album this month is from one of my favourite artists of all times, Harry Nilsson.

Petter’s Short List contains all music reviewed in this blog post. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist changes every month.

Petter’s Long List contains all music previously reviewed from December 2021 and onwards. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist is extended every month.

You may also listen to the singles and sample tracks from each album reviewed by clicking on the title.

Tracks reviewed before December 2021 are available in Petter’s Blog Archive, found here.

Sample track: Smoke on the Water

Heavy Metal and Hard Rock were never really my thing, but I make exceptions, quite a few, actually. Machine Head from Deep Purple was never one of these. Still, who can not like Smoke on the Water, a song inspired by the fact that the studio they were supposed to work in burned to ground. They ended up in Grand Hotel in Montreux, one of the few albums recorded at that time outside of a proper studio. I consider Ian Gillian one of the greatest voices of all time, the first Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. He excels on Machine Head.

Most reviewers and rock music lovers would not share my sentiments about the album, nor did record buyers. If you haven’t listened to the album, please do and judge for yourself.

Sample Track: Rough Landing

Klaus Waldeck is an interesting Austrian jazz and swing composer and artist, with music sounding like it came out of Las Vegas and nightclubs in Hollywood and not Vienna. He has released a number of EPs over the last two decades, and has now made a foot thumping collection of released and never-before-released tracks.

Sample Track: Now She Sleeps Beside Me

You have been exposed to singles from this extraordinary album in previous blog posts, but here are six other tracks from a rare double album by one of today’s most talented songwriters, in my view. It is romantic, intelligent and incredibly beautiful, songs of love and longing, inspired by classic pop of yesteryear, produced with a sophistication and crispness of sound that I find – yes, extraordinary.

Sample Track: Hjertestorm

You may know her as Tina Dico, but the Danish singer/songwriter used her real name when releasing her first native language album. No doubt we are dealing with a accomplished composer and singer; even those of you who wouldn’t get the lyrics may appreciate the soothing voice and the slick production.

Sample Track: Der hvor vi ikke kunne gå

Another non-English release, but less worry: this is an instrumental album, performed in a small wooden church just outside of Oslo by the jazz trio Maridalen. This contemplative and evocative music should resonate with everyone who enjoys melodic and timeless jazz.

Sample Track: Olvidado

Timelessness is a key word for Father John Misty’s surpising new album as well. Like Sondre Lerche, he has returned to the romanticism of film music and sophisticated, lush pop. Still, I get the feeling the good Father doesn’t fully embrace the music he is perforing; there is a certain irony both in the lyrics and the songwriting. That doesn’t devalue the album on litte bit.

Sample Track: You’re So Fucking Pretty

You may kow The Regrettes as a rock band, even punk rock band, but they too have started to look back for inspiration. Further Joy is a pop album, tough and perky, with lots of great summery tracks. I really prefer this version of the band.

Sample Track: Waste Her Time

There’s a wave of artists in this blog post inspired by music from the classic pop era (well, I guess in my blog in general), and young Christian Alexander is definetely among them. His hit song Waste Her Time ostensibly came about after Christian had listened to an interview with Paul McCartney. The influence of McCartney is hard to conceal, if he ever tried, throughout this album.

Sample Track: Moving On

The artist Noble is drawn like a cartoon character on the Silence album cover, and perhaps she is? It is hard to find out much about this slick and sweet pop album, except that Eddie van der Meer is a Dutch guitarist and producer who has produced and recorded the album. There are countless female vocalists that sounds like Noble, but there is something there in both the performance and the songwriting that makes Silence quite an enjoyable album, standing out from the pack.

Sample Track: First To Love

Maia Friedman, who for a while was Coco’s vocalist, has released her first solo album. There’s a warmth and richness streaming from these songs, gliding, immensely beautiful vocals, almost cinematic soundscape.

Sample Track: Vatten

Iranian-Swedish Laleh is out with her ninth album, Vatten (Water). I have been a great fan of Laleh, she is an artist with a life-affirming attitude and purpose, and with a voice that wakes you up, so beautiful and emotive – and so insisting you just can’t ignore it. This album has water as theme, from tears to oceans.

Sample Track: Longing For You

I wrote about Noble (above) that countless vocalists sing like her. This is certainly not the case with 18-year old Vilde Bye from Tromsø, Norway. There might be a likeness to Billie Holiday, but that might be pushing it a bit. Not that it matters, Vilde Bye is her own, and the debut album of country rock is accomplished and well worth listening to. No doubt this is just the start of a musical career.

Sample Track: Wet Dream

One reviewer described the duo Wet Leg’s self-titled album «nothing but pure fun». Well, it is hard to disagree on the fun bit; it is truly envigorating to listen to this chirpy, irreverent album, dripping with sarcasm and fuck you-mentality. But it is also a look into a youth culture in which the irreverence might be a way to survive in a crumbling world. Or maybe it is just pure fun.

Sample Track: Somebody Like Me

Not enough country music in your life? Welcome in, Thomas Rhett, America’s most popular country singer right now. His new album, Where We Started, demonstrates to an extent country music’s position now, with both pop and rock elements sneaking into traditional country. That makes country more palatable for me, but I appreciate not for everyone. Still, there is much to enjoy on this album, whether you are an afficionado or, like me, liking a bit of this and a bit of that. That’s Thomas Rhett for you.

Lots of evergreen artists refuse to lie down and continue to release new (or not so new music), some of it no more than interesting, but a lot of it enriching what’s on offer. So have listen to the 2022 version of Alanis Morissette, Mick Jagger, Frank Sinatra (remixed), Van Morrison and Michael Bublé. As for new artists, like Nouel and Elephant, I hope the single release is the start of a long career.

Be Still My Heart – Club des Belugas & Lene Reibau

Cold Places – Nerina Pallot

Goodbye (She Quietly Says) – Frank Sinatra

Hold My Hand – Lady Gaga

Hometown – Elephant

Iconic Pizza Night – Nouel

It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown – Ben Folds

I’ve Been Lonely Too Long – Chris Price & The Explorers Club

Kjedelig – Lundevall

A Nightingale Sang in Berkely Square – Michael Bublé

No Woman is an Island – Rae Morris

Over the Moon – Nataly Dawn

Pretending – Van Morrison

Si en el Fondo – Gaby Moreno

Simple Mistake – Baharie

Strange Game – Mick Jagger

Underwater – Boy George

Up the Mountain – Regina Spektor

You Oughta Know – Alanis Morissette, Duomo & Kroma Strings

Sample Track: Take 54

Harry Nilsson had this bad joke, he called himself Nilsson Schmilsson, even released an album under that name (an absolutely brilliant one at that, with Without You on it). The year after, in 1972, the album Son of Schmilsson was released (I would argue equally brilliant), and later an album of versions of songs from the American songbook was called A little Schmilsson In the Night. His version of bad dad jokes I guess.

Beatles names Nilsson their favorite artist, it was something that they seemed to agree on. And John Lennon and Harry Nilsson did an album together, Pussycats, supposedly recorded during a drinking spree. So, yes, he was something, Nilsson, quite a character. But people tend to forget what an accomplished vocalist he was, even after drink and smoke ruined the voice. And what a brilliant songwriter he was. And he added a lot of fun to pop and rock music, which Son of Schmillson proves. So perhaps there is a line from Nilsson to Wet Leg: Don’t take this world too seriously? Perhaps my blog post has a theme?? That would be something.

Finally… a little bonus: Paul McCartney played a three-hour concert at this year’s Glastonbury Festival, hailed as one of the great concerts in pop music history. Judging from the set list I can only image how magical it must have been to be among the 100 000 there… So if you want to listen to the 36 songs he performed, here is a playlist of all original recordings. Not the same as being there, but as close as you get…

For many artists the career never seems to be over. Music pours out of them even after a long break. In this month’s blog post there are quite a few good examples: Pink Floyd, Alanis Morissette, Tears for Fears, Beth Hart – and Coldplay (although some said they never left). It seems like most artists have a creative peak during their career, lucky for us the peak may last for a long time, and even when they are not peaking, the art they give us is more than satisfactory.

Petter’s Short List contains all music reviewed in this blog post. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist changes every month.

Petter’s Long List contains all music previously reviews from December 2021 and onwards. Click here to listen and/or subscribe. The playlist is extended every month.

You may also listen to the singles and sample tracks from each album reviewed by clicking on the title.

Tracks reviewed before December 2021 are available in Petter’s Blog Archive, found here.

Sample track: Meet Me On the Corner

It might be fair to say that Lindisfarne created folk rock, and their 1971 album Fog on the Tyne was definitely produced at the band’s creative peak. It went to number 1 in the spring of 1972 and became the 8th bestselling album of the year, 50 years ago. I never liked them much when I was a teenager, and thought that calling the lads «Beatles of the 70s» was an abhorrence. Today I can appreciate their sound a bit better and enjoyed relistening to this album from my youth. I hope you do, too.

Sample Track: Brooklyn Bridge

Mitchell has recorded her brand of folk rock since 2002. Last year she turned 40, and this self-titled album sure sounds mature and accomplished. She comes out of the Dylan/Cohen school of popular music, with lyrics that matter set to music that primarily accompanies.

Sample Track: Mase Mi

Adekunle Gold may very well be Nigeria’s greatest artist at the moment, and with the release of Catch Me If You Can, he has spread world music with a Nigerian twist to a global audience. The music is easily accessible, with R&B as well as reggae beats intertwined with African contemporary music.

Sample Track: Hurt You

I have continuously added singles to the list from Norwegian electrionica artist ARY over the years; now her first true album is out, and she doesn’t disappoint. This is a varied and impressive collection. ARYs style is all her own and has been for many years, with a melancholy that is genuine and not a copy.

Sample Track: Until

Another artist that is truly her own is Cécile McLorin Salvant, to an extent that she probably scares some people away with her experimentation and friskiness, being absolutely impossible to pindown musically. Jazz? Pop? Folk? Who could say? This album cannot be listened to in the background, Salvant demands too much of her listener for that. But give this wonderful carnival of an album a chance, I promise it is worth it.

Sample Track: Starstruck

I wrote a few months ago that we ought to listen more to Austrian pop, it has certainly moved on – and OSKA is another living proof. This debut album is sweet and moving, with personal and impressive songwriting coming from such a young artist.

Sample Track: Just Another Sleepless Night

Last time Team Me issued an album, I said something a bit unfavourable about them at work – and was instantly told by everyone in the room how wrong I was . Team Me fans love what the band is doing, and with their new album, I will join in the chorus (but in all fairness, this is a considerably better album than the last one). The wonder choirlike harmonies, the richness of the sound, the brilliant songwriting all add up to a great listening experience.

Sample track: Thinking About It

Some artists stick to a formula that works. Ole Børud is one of them, a soul singer of international stature, performing as if the 2000s never happened. This is professional craftsmanship down to the minutest detail, and still with a lot of – yes – soul. What a performer!

Sample track: What It Is

Once in a while an artist emerges that refuses to stick to a formula. Amber Mark is one of them, perhaps that’s why she talks about more than one dimension in the album title. Her sound is truly contemporary R&B, but the range on «Three Dimensions Deep» is impressive and makes for a rare listening experience.

Sample Track: Long, Long, Long Time

Tears For Fears stayed away for 18 years. Suddenly a new album emerges, but it is not as if time has stood still. I was never a great fan of the duo back then, found the music a bit dull and cold, but have no problem admitting that the new Tears For Fears deserves a place in my playlist. This is mature and versatile pop music, self-confident and in my view the best they have ever released.

Sample track: Black Dog

Led Zeppelin was the ultimate rock band. In fact, 50 years ago, the band was denied performing in Singapore because of ther long hair. You don’t get to be more rock’n’roll than that. Their guitar riffs are recognized by young and old today, in fact, the opening of Stairway to Heaven is called the Forbidden Riff, because it is so overplayed. But Beth Hart, a rocker in the premium league herself, is not afraid of overplaying and has released a tribute album that is among the best ever as tribute albums go. Playing this album in the car may not be advisable if you have a tendency to headbanging and shoegazing.

A good bunch of surprises in this month’s single list, the biggest is possible Pink Floyd’s first release for decades. The cause couldn’t be a worthier one, and they have brought in Andriy Khlyvnyuk from Ukraine to perform with them.

Bitterweet – Georgia Cécile

Hey Hey Rise Up – Pink Floyd & Andriy Khlyvnyuk

I’m a Mess – Phosphorescent

Language of Love – Karen Souza

Let Somebody Go – Coldplay & Celena Gomez

Make Your Mark – Seth Lakeman

My Love – Florence + The Machine

Nobody’s Wrong – Gaby Moreno

Olive Branch – Alanis Morissette

Second Hand Love – Julie Bergan & Ruben

Tomorrow – John Legend, Nas & Florian Picasso

Finally, it is time for the annual pick of the best ESC songs of 2022. I know some of you hate it, especially since I am sure you actually find songs in there that you actually like, but the secret is safe with me. I have picked my 10 personal favourites, plus Ukraine’s contribution, that probably will win. Remember I haven’t seen most of the performances, so the songs are picked after listening.

SWITZERLAND : Boys Do Cry – Marius Bear

ITALY: Brividi  – Mahmood & BLANCO

GREECE: Die Together – Amanda Tenfjord

NORWAY: Give That Wolf A Banana – Subwoolfer

SWEDEN: Hold Me Closer – Cornelia Jakobs

MALTA: I Am What I Am – Emma Muscat

GERMANY: Rockstars – Malik Harris

ARMENIA: SNAP – Rosa Linn

UNITED KINGDOM: SPACE MAN – Sam Ryder

SAN MARINO: STRIPPER – Achille Lauro

UKRAINE: Stefania – KALUSH

10cc was one of the strangest pop groups ever. They released some of the best remembered pop tunes of all time, like «I’m Not in Love» and «The Things We Do For Love», their playfulness and humour was a trademark for them, but their albums wasn’t properly pruned – including Deceptive Bends, lots of peculiar tracks mixed with brilliant songs. Still, I have picked the album more as an example of the brillance of the group. If you decide to listen to the whole album and not only my choice picks, you will understand what I mean.

Happy Easter, everyone!