John R. Kjellstrom
Apollon, 2020
8/10
The debut album from the singer-songwriter John R. Kjellstrom, the Swedish artist is aligned with Freddy Holm, who handles the majority of the instruments on this often dark and pretty delivery of sincere song craft.
“Efterskalv” starts the listen bare and expressive, where a slow burning version of Americana unfolds with much atmosphere, and “Hemlighet” follows with a more firm approach where dense moments of rock are met with calmer ebbs of cautious beauty.
At the halfway point, “Omsom Vin” recruits a banjo as the song builds into a lush and layered display of warmth and mystery, while “Den Onda Sommaren” moves with a sparse execution of moody strings, poetic singing and creative songwriting.
Near the end, “Se Allt Du Var” steers into dense, crunchy alt-rock that’s also quite rhythmic, and “Ett Hus Ar Inget Hem” exits the listen in balladry, where piano adds much to the emotive and timeless landscape.
Kjellstrom pulls off an impressive first album, where many variations of subdued rock are present and appreciated in his very well thought out vision.
Travels well with: Matterhorn- Outside; Wudewuse- Northern Gothic