After four albums under the Patrik Jansson Band moniker – the self-titled debut from 2011, Here We Are (2014), So Far To Go (2017) and IV (2022) – Jansson have now ditched the “Band” part and gone full-on solo. This Swedish blues-rock/Classic Rock dude might not be all that familiar for people outside of Sweden – fact is he’s not that huge even in his home country – but judging by the quality of his music and his performances as a singer/guitarist he should be. If it’s a promotional thing – his record company Sneaky Foot Records might not have the financial muscles to promote him properly – is better left unsaid but the fact that I completely missed out on his last record, I didn’t even know it was released until now, says that the word didn’t exactly spread like wild-fire. That being said, to once again get to digest a new record from Jansson is exciting and I keep my fingers crossed that it will be another splendid effort.
The album opens on a slower pace with the melancholic and dramatic yet heavy and crunchy blues-rocker “I Still Want You”. The interaction between the crunchy, distorted guitars, the pumping bass-line and the poundy drums with a slice of Hammond organ is superb and creates an in-your-face and distinct groove. The direct melodies are hooky and the chorus is very direct. A great opener. The mid-paced to slow tempo continues with “A Wonder Of Nature”, a raw and earthy blues-rocker with a funky bass-line and a stompy beat. The twists of Pop that lies over the vocal melodies, especially the refrain, creates a nice contrasting dynamic too. The song ends with a short jam-laden musical structure. Damn good.
The upbeat Classic Rock bluesy boogie-rocker “Feel Bad Boogie”, also a single, is a busy and steady rocker perfect for the stage. This one’s an organic and earthy groover that brings on both a melodic harmonica and distorted slide-guitar. It’s pretty punchy and in-your-face with a distinct main melody and a beefy refrain. Good one. Held-back yet upbeat, the instrumental “Rays Of The Sun” is a pop-blues-rock tune with a spacey atmosphere and a calming feel. The rhythms are quite distinct and easily embraced with a chunky, crispy main melody. Instrumentals aren’t really my cuppa tea but I find this one quite affable.
With its reggae cadence “Time To Make Some Changes” is a bit of a left-turn here. It’s a swinging mid tempo number with horns, an organ and clean guitar that brings on a feel of being in a small club with a good whisky in hand while enjoying the soulful and mesmerizing melodies of the song. Again, this kind of song isn’t really my hat but I really enjoy this. Another instrumental, “Something’s Gotta Give” is a concise and big-grooved blues-rocker, upbeat and meaty with a jam-vibe and a firey outlook. It holds a funky edge, crunchy guitars and a rowdy saxophone. Again, I get a major live-feel here and this one could wake up the sleepiest crowd. Good stuff.
Second single, “Show Me Your Love Is Real” is another Classic Rock stomper with lots of bluesy vibes. It’s an upbeat, crunchy and down n’ dirty rocker full of attitude and muscle. This rootsy spark-flying rocker also comes with some smoother melodies and a hooky chorus that really grabs a hold. Very good. Even more edgy and ballsy is the single “Leave Me Alone”. The song is gritty, fast and forceful with a heavy rhythm and striking melodies with a punchy chorus on top. This is a show-opener for sure that kicks up some major dust. “Got To Take A Stand” follows the edgy structure and brings on a 70’s Rolling Stones touch with crunchy riffing and a stompy beat with a direct melody hook that makes the chorus damn infectious. A great Classic Rock kicker indeed.
On a slower note we have “Hurts To See Her Go”, a mellow semi-ballad that despite its softer structure also holds a big groove, a crunchy guitar, an organ and a good, juicy beat. It’s an emotional and soulful piece with easily grasped and smoother vocal-melodies. A very good rock-ballad with a refrain that grabs a hold right from go. Very good. Also on slow and low-key note is the closing track and single “Know Where I Belong”. It’s a melancholic and mellow blues-ballad that comes with a floating rhythm-structure, a dark atmosphere and a soothing outlook, very down-to-earth. It’s a deep ballad, quite beautiful with laid-back vocal-melodies and a softer touch but it also holds a hook that makes the song linger. Good stuff indeed.
Compared to his last records, Jansson takes out the crunch more here and the album rocks a bit harder but it’s still Classic Rock meets Blues we’re talking about here. The quality has always been high on his records but this one is his best effort to date even if it’s by a nose. The production is groundy and dynamic with a rootsy and organic sound, easy on the ear – and I mean that in the best of ways. If this type of music is your thing and haven’t lent Patrik Jansson’s stuff an ear yet, I strongly suggest you do so. This is a damn good record, see.
8/10
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Tracklist:
1. I Still Want You
2. A Wonder Of Nature
3. Feel Bad Boogie
4. Rays Of The Sun
5. Time To Make Some Changes
6. Something’s Gotta Give
7. Show Me Your Love Is Real
8. Leave Me Alone
9. Got To Take A Stand
10. Hurts To See Her Go
11. Know Where I Belong
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