Lopez Blogs

Andreas Johnson:

Ah, the "glorious" return of Andreas. He may well be best remembered in the UK for his soaring single 'Glorious', but he's still a superstar in his native Sweden where most recently he's put out an effervescent big band tinged album of standards, including a reworking of that single (and a simply lovely version of Can't Take My Eyes Off You). He's now back in the pop arena with one of the most engaging and soaring anthems I've heard this year. have you ever been so in love and besotted with someone that you can feel the passion and emotions burning inside of you, making you fiercely protective of that person and feeling like you would do anything for them? Lyrically that's one the stupendous One Man Army is about. Andreas takes that passion, funnels it into inspiring and romantic lyrics and delivers a emotive vocal that mirrors the ethos of the song. Musically, it's a sonic experience that encapsulates those wonderful lyrics into a crashing, booming, grandiose production - it really makes the song fly in a Viva-La-Vida type way. There are cymbals, a driving drum beat, great orchestral parts and some perfectly complementary backing vocals. Added all together it's one of the most delightful tunes of 2011 so far. I do hope an album is forthcoming. I can't recommend this highly enough!!

Blimey. Whatever happened to The Click Five? They burst onto the pop scene like an oversized party popper with their modern meets mod look, all natty suits and irrepressible pop tunes. Then they lost Eric Dill, but gained the equally suitable Kyle Patrick, launched a second album onto the world which sadly didn't do as well and then went a bit quiet. Mercifully they are back with a new album (TCV), an image that is somewhat between their debut album mod look and grungier second album look (hurrah for the more casual suited look) and a still impressive knack with melodies and memorable choruses. While I Quit, I Quit, I Quit and The Way It Goes recall the exuberant, pulsing pop they do so well, their latest single entitled Don't Let Me Go is an elegant, restrained ballad. It's an extremely earnest and heartfelt plea, with a plaintive vocal delivery designed to tug at the heartstrings. The real beauty of this song is the layered instrumental - it begins as an acoustic guitar/vocal tradeoff but as the tune progresses other instruments are added including a lush and warming violin and sumptuous but not overpowering piano chords. It works oh so incredibly well. There's a reason why people still make straightforward and touching songs like this - they are instantly beautiful, timeless and classic. Welcome back Click Five, welcome back :)