(Inertia)

Happy-sad Swedish singer-songwriter returns

Even though Sarah Assbring (the Swede behind the El Perro Del Mar moniker) seems like a particularly introspective and emotional person, her new record carries an essence of joy that positively makes it glow. Despite sometimes mopey tones, the spirit of the songs on this, her third album, is pure optimism – both bright yet wary. It’s bittersweet in a big way, with doo-wop sounds blending with twee aesthetics. Her voice is silken, but warbles sometimes with a particular sort of restrained emotion as she sings things like “glory to the world” over the top of a lamenting vintage organ. There are old-timey sounds, toned in sepia and faded around the edges – pianos, aah-ohhs, happy-go-lucky horns – all of which infuses her ballads with a sense of class and style. The thoroughly human essence of her songwriting is matched with a Phil Spector style of pop production, all done by her with audible subtlety and craft. It’s never overwrought, in fact, quite the opposite – this restrained sort of emotive sensitivity is surely as sincere as you can get. It’s lucky for us then that this young Swede is as lyrically competent as she is at instrumentation and structure, creating warm textures like the inside of your favourite winter coat and a timeless air that sticks with you long after listening.

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RICHARD MACFARLANE

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