Holding On To A Dream

The new album from Joel Wstberg a.k.a sir Was, 'Holding on To a Dream', is a mesmerising twisting of genres - from classic soul and old-school hip-hop, to beautifully fresh pop structures. The new record is dense with ideas and adventurous, a sonic-leap forth. 'I was interested in having a lusher sound, more rich,' Wstberg says. 'With the first record I had this idea that I wanted it to sound like an old vinyl record. I wanted this lo-fi, old-school sound. When I realized that I was actually making another album, I felt a bit scared of the whole thing, but it didn't take me that long to realise that the only thing I could do was to make something that felt really right in my body and soul. I've realised that there's nothing to be afraid of. I'm ready to explore so much more.' The sense of exploration resonates throughout the record and can be defined by its start and end points. Opening track 'Fly Away' begins the expedition, a gleaming reflection of past insecurities as a jump-off point for the next chapter, all subtle beats and stark bursts of guitars that leap out of the mix. Elsewhere, 'No Giving Up' is a tender recollection of a past relationship, set to an equally affectionate composition, a glowing example of Wstberg's growing songwriting skills, while 'The Sun Will Shine' showcases another side of Joel's skillset, a playful production full of inspired ideas and nuances; a Les Fleurseque mellow breeze in the heat of the summer. The record's boldest moment is reserved

Tracks

Details

Format: Vinyl LP
Artist: Sir Was
Release Date: 20 September 2019
Genre: Alternative
Label: Redeye/Memphis Industries
Distributor: MGM Music