Pleasant Pop
Brighton-based singer songwriter Astrid Williamson’s 4th solo album shows that female singers aren’t always weak, warbling types. Astrid shows plenty of soul on the ten tracks that make up, ‘Here Come The Vikings’ - a spirited pop album full of fun and quirky tunes.
‘Sing The Body Electric’ for example has you wanting to dance along to the sparkling piano and soulful, lilting vocals that have a certain depth and wisdom to them. There’s something in Astrid’s lyrics and expression that even hint to Fleetwood Mac at their best, especially on the light-hearted ‘Falling Down’ which skips along with a bubbly melody and sweet vocals. ‘How Can You Take My Breath Away’ and ‘Crashing Minis’ show off Astrid’s elegant, high vocals as they seem to drift over a glassy backing with slow, shuffling percussion. These tunes particularly are great as backing music but leave your mind wandering if you were hoping for an album that thoroughly engages from start to finish. ‘Pinned’ manages to get it right and become a subtle highlight with breathy vocals that sparkle over a soft, meandering backing including aching slide guitars.
There’s a firm injection of jazzy pop in ‘Shut Your Mouth’, a fun and frivolous tune with cool guitar hooks and sultry vocals, while the tune itself could equally be a mainstream hit with a fractious guitar solo, yelping vocals and a relentless pace that powers the tune along. Another subtle highpoint is closer, ‘The Stars Are Beautiful’ with its twinkling, ethereal gaze towards the sky. It’s a really dreamy delight that almost echoes a tamer Sigur Ros.
‘Here Come The Vikings’ is a pretty album with a good mix of sultry, slowbuilding jazzy tunes that almost sound smoke-filled, and upbeat pop tunes full of spirit and flair. Unfortunately there are also plenty of fillers, but if you can overlook that then it’s a good introduction to an intelligent and interesting musician with a beautiful voice and great ability to write touching tunes.