I En Tid Som Var

Yes, Marie Fredriksson’s return as a solo artist is sometimes quite melancholy, depressing and autumnal.

But unlike other thinkers, I mean that even millionaires from Djursholm have the right to be sad sometimes. For those of you who have seen Colin Nutley’s new film “Sånt är livet”, the CD’s title track “I en tid som vår” is already familiar. A chubby song that kind of rocks forward, beautifully gilded with cello sounds and water drop piano.

Already here, Marie’s husband Micke Bolyos, who plays most of the instruments on the record, shows that he is a musician to be reckoned with. “Efter så många år” is another not directly cheerful song, with a quietly sucking chorus, “Min trognaste vän” is a new lullaby that the country’s parents of young children will love unconditionally – and “Vinterängel” is a gentle, stringed show for the child who grows in Marie’s belly.

Okay, this is not rock ‘n’ roll, exactly.

But who said all artists have to do that? Now far from everything goes on a low.

“Ber bara en gång”, laced with Beatles harmonies, is one of the album’s highlights. Small bluesy “Drömmen” with Nicci Wallin’s tight driving drums and Sven Zetterberg’s harmonica as an extra spice, another.

Whoops, I almost forgot to tell you that Marie sings like a lark through the record. If now someone suspected the opposite.