Even the most hardened of rockers soften, particularly when they get older. In this month’s blog list we’ll be exposed to some of them and listen to the beauty of softness.

Lots of recently released albums are on display for your ears’ content, some you may have heard of, some well-hidden in the inner vaults of the streamers.

This month my blog has been through a slight facelift, I do hope you enjoy the new look and the slightly altered way of presenting the music to you. The links to Spotify are now found in the text itself.

The Short List: New Tracks

The Long List: Previous Tracks

This month’s blog title refers specifically to Blur and The National, both bands out with mostly mellow albums, and both with close to career best. I enjoyed Blur when they were playing britpop and rock, they still do, but some of the best tracks on their new album are beautiful ballads. The National have always be dark and moody, they still are, but I have never enjoyed them more than now. The last track of the album, Send for me, is a particularly mesmerizing love song. Both albums are impeccably produced, lovely harmonies and exquisite orchestrations.

I have not yet seen the Barbie movie, but having listened to the album, I get the gist of the story. Most tracks are not worth spending listening time on, but I enjoyed the fun in among others Lizzo’s Pink and a slightly new side of Billie Eilish.

This month’s most bizarre album – in a good way of course – is Because, a collection of gospels and spirituals performed by a countertenor and a jazz pianist, a countertenor being a classical male singing voice with a range of a female mezzosoprano. Reginald Mobley recreates some of the classical spirituals in a way that you just have to listen. Sometimes it is too much, but on most tracks there is a beauty there that I have never before heard. Babtiste Trotignon does his bit to give these songs a completely new coating.

I do like quirkiness, and Joanna Sternberg’s I’ve Got Me offers me more than I bargained for on what feels like a homemade album – in a good way of course. Her voice is raw, edgy, close to the microphone and close to a lived life. Similarly (but still very different) Lola Young invites us into her not so average life on a brilliant new collection. I have been a fan of her since she started recording. It is still beyond comprehension that she does not get more attention than she gets.

Another favorite artist of mine is Ricky Lee Jones. It is a long time since Chuck E was in love, and many of the songs on her cover album go equally far back. Her peculiar, attention-grabbing voice does not fit all the classics on the album, but there are still many interesting gems here.  I have tried to mine the for you.

When I was a student, I was for a brief period lucky to work with Bill Cantos, who has gone on to be a brilliant interpreter of both his own and other artists’  jazz compositions. His work with Burt Bacharach is legendary, and now he has also been involved with another classic artist, Herb Alpert (watch this space), but this month I want you to lend your ears to his solo album, Sensibility, that really shows off both his piano skills, his warm and flexible voice and his perfectionist compositions.

Ben Folds has been in the business as long as Bill, starting out in the early 90s with his own group Ben Folds Five. It is great to have him back, with his first album in 15 years, What Matters Most. This is accessible pop music at its best, piano driven and lush arrangements around his pleasant voice.  And if you like this album, my guess is you will also enjoy the latest from The Lemon Twigs, sweet, melodic, and well-crafted pop music. If you like slightly more edgy and tougher, listen to Paper Sparrows, a trio from Edinburgh, or the highly energetic self-titled album from Cut Worms. I have added spicy songs from both great new albums.

Bruno Major offers a more rounded taste on his third album, pop music heavily soul inspired, with Bruno’s sad voice lamenting about lost love and lost time.

The last album on this month’s list is from Norwegian chanteuse Susanne Sundfør, who is also known for her melancholic music. This is not necessarily the case on her latest album Blòmi, her strongest release to date. Although there are new age elements, poetry readings and such, most of the album is a joy to listen to. She is a rare artist, one of the many Norwegian female artists that has made an impact internationally.

Lots of interesting new singles in the playlist! (I have also sneaked in Kris Kristofferson’s homage to Sinead O’Connor, “Sister Sinead”, as a tribute to her from me as well; I was devasted to hear she had left us – more about that later.)

I have added a preview of master pianist Yuja Want’s collection of Rachmaninoff’s greatest, plus new singles from favourites Cigarettes After Sex, Zaz, Daisy Dash, Nellie McKay and Ian Shaw. You can also listen to attention-grabbing and stimulating single tracks from Fountaines D.C., King Princess and Judith Hill.  Actress and singer Bridget Everett of “Somebody, Somewhere” fame (catch that wonderful TV series if you haven’t already!) has released her lovely “Home” and Susanna (of Susanna & The Magic Orchestra) sings with my employer NRK’s own symphony orchestra. Finally, relax and enjoy singer Ashnaa and the smooth Usuru Narambulay.

This month’s classic work can be no other than I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got by Irish superstar Sinéad O’Connor, who sadly left us this Summer. This LP marked in many ways the peak of her career, although she released many brilliant albums afterwards, including her latest album “I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss” from 2014.  But I Do Not Want… shows off all her strengths at once, her convictions, her inspiring resilience – she never gave in whatever they threw at her. It hurt, though, and there is a lot of pain visible and audible on the album, both in her lyrics and in her voice. Have we ever had a female singer with a more insistent and yet beautiful voice? I don’t think so. We will never forget her.

1973 was the year many of us brought home the hand of George Harrison, the iconic cover of “Living in the Material World” (perhaps inspiring Madonna’s Material Girl a few years later?). Harrison had made the final break with The Beatles and created his own sound with lots of self-esteem. His Eastern philosophy-inspired anti-materialism flowered, creating memorable songs like “The Light that Has Lighted the World”, “Give me Love” and “Bangla desh”, while “Sue Me, Sue You Blues” showed there were som remnants of old bitter conflicts.

It’s been a while. I know, and to make matters worse (at least for those of you who enjoy reading about the music I have chosen; that may not be all of you), this month’s playlist comes without many details. Still, I can promise you an exciting list of new albums, new singles – and a quite unknown album from the past that I hope you will lend your ear to: Mike Batt’s 1980 masterpiece «Waves». I have also included a few tracks from Led Zeppelin’s 1973 album «Houses of the Holy», celebrating its 50th anniversary.

I apologize for the lack of information. It has been a very busy three months, and I thought it would be better to publish the new music to you rather than delay it further, so you can refresh your playlist and liven up what remains of your holiday.

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.

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.