An Intriguing Debut
London-based Swede John Alexander Ericson’s debut ‘Songs From The White Sea’ was recorded with minimal technology and outside interference in a cottage deep in the Welsh countryside. It’s one of those albums that benefits from this kind of intimacy, a carefully though out selection of tender tunes.
Opener, ‘Blinded By Highways’ is a tense, soft tune that glistens with sparkling synths and vocoder robotic vocals which still maintain a gentle, human edge. It’s not a big tune that packs a punch, but it subtly welcomes you into Ericson’s little world. ‘Always Leave Them Wanting More, Johanna’ steps up the pace with a more energetic and driven pulse, while Ericson’s vocals also become suitably urgent and some wiry guitar riffs step in to up the tempo; there’s a pleasant hint of taught indie about it, but Ericson’s tunes always keep a restrained edge.
‘Mary Song’ is a slightly intense and disconcerting number that plays on repeated, bewildering lyrics and howling vocals that float over an elegant piano track; it’s strange and almost ethereal but certainly shows that Ericson has his own unique musical ideas. ‘Through The Devil’s Eyes’ shows of Ericson’s breathy, taught vocals to best effect with a driven, tense backing of piano chords and unnerving samples.
Much of ‘Songs From The White Sea’ is composed of slightly trippy indie songs like, ‘Let It All Come’, which features a strong handclap beat and steady, hypnotic vocal chant, and instrumental ‘The Light Machine’, with its slightly more guitar-led melody and chugging riffs that match soft electro swirls.
John Alexander Ericson definitely has many talents, and his debut album is an interesting one. At times it’s a little too free of genre and boundaries and lets your attention drift a little too much, but once you’ve reconnected, there’s plenty to enjoy in the plentiful details added to each track.