Swedish band The Northern Lights have reproduced something real, unique and most importantly, authentic.
Reviving the old doo-wop sound from the ’50s might not have worked, but it does excellently thanks to Erik Jonsson’s emotive vocal talent and writing skills. The tracks are original and yet seemingly seeped in the history of the torments of love. Erik’s vocals are also well complimented by Peter Värttö, Jonas Heinonen and Abel Haile‘s instrumentation.
I was lucky enough to see the band perform recently in Stockholm at Fasching. Dressed in dark suits with black ties, the band performed a tight set, moving seamlessly between tracks. It was hard to believe they had only released their first single ‘You & I’ last year.
The bands’ authenticity doesn’t stop with their style and sound. All their music is also released on 7” records.
Signed to the Finnish label Traveller Records their second release ‘Thats why you love me’ is out now with ‘Tied up’ on the B-side.
Writer Fryer sums up the band well:
“Call it soul, call doo-wop, call it group vocal, call it what you want, just take your car out, drive slow and listen.
The talent (or luck) required to get all the elements correct without descending into pastiche or cheese is the real trick and The Northern Lights have got it right, the recording is so warm I feel like I could thank the band at the end of the track.
These guys are going to be huge.”
I totally agree.