MP3: Ulf Ljusberg - Whatever was
I take the time to listen to everything that gets sent my way. It's simultaneously the best and worst part of running this website because, while most everything I get is at least listenable, it's definitely not all good. So even though I try my best to remain eternally optimistic, I approach each new promo with a bit of trepidation. The ones I fear the most? That would be the singer/songwriters, no question about it. Whenever I see an artist name instead of a moniker, I get a sense of dread because the potential for awfulness is so, so high, especially when you consider how many of those types work so hard to convey their deepest, most heartfelt sincerity in everything they do. It makes their failure ultimately so much more depressing. Luckily, today's mp3 comes from an artist who defies expectations and is actually pretty darn good. Ulf Ljusberg is a Swedish artist with a gentle, fingerpicking style somewhere between the low-key melancholy of José González and the progressive folk of Nicolai Dunger. Sometimes he's a bit too AOR for my tastes, but there's no denying his talent and I find this particular track "Whatever was" to be one of the standouts on his new EP "Unleash". It's not just melodically pleasing, it's also got an interesting rhythmic thing that sets it apart, thanks to percussionist Tobias Thun. It's not the sort of thing that'll make your jaw drop, but it did make me sit up and take notice because it's different. There's an understated beauty to it and I appreciate that. It makes it all worthwhile.
Ulf Ljusberg - Whatever was