Recensioner mm


21 December 2023

The Big Takeover

Jens Gustavson - Illusionisten (self-released)

by Dave Franklin

It might seem odd to cover not only a Swedish artist but one who sings in their native tongue in an English language publication. However, direct lyrical communication is only one small part of any music and music is undoubtedly a language in its own right. So, even with the language barrier that might exist between Gustavson and non-Swedish speakers, his voice is also an instrument that adds its own moods and textures, tones, and sonic layers to the music. There is also a more basic argument to be made. It’s rock ‘n’ roll, man! Deal with it.


Illusionisten is his latest album and comprises songs that wander the length and breadth of the rock spectrum, from brooding gothic ballads to kick-arse rockers, slow, blues-infused numbers to lilting jazz groovers. But also with a dark demeanor and slightly sinister edge for good measure.


“Farjekarlen” opens up the album with a snarling, alt-rock track built of relentlessly driving yet slightly subdued back beats and shot through with explosive crescendos and sonic highs. As if to immediately display the range Gustavson is capable of exploring, “Idioten,” which follows, is a strange blend of tribal beats and musical hall buoyancy, jangling, early rock and roll guitars, and spaciousness.


And, having laid out a broad and brilliant sonic stall, he can go anywhere he likes from there. Sometimes, he is found wandering the apocalyptic blues-lands beloved of the likes of Nick Cave as with “Jag Sag Mig Sjalv Idag” (I Told Myself Today), “Horisonten” is a bruised and brooding slice of alt-rock and “Mona Lisas Sista Sang” (Mona Lisa’s Last Song) is so underplayed that it is almost a spoken word piece. The title track itself is a strange blend of groovy jazz beats and ever-growing rock weight.


It’s a beguiling and often brilliant album that merges the alternative sonic worlds of the likes of P J Harvey, and Kurt Weill with more accessible rock moves.


Alt-alt-rock? Yes, I reckon so.

https://bigtakeover.com/recordings/jens-gustavson-illusionisten-self-released 

12 november 2023

B-side guys

SONG REVIEW: JENS GUSTAVSON – “FILM”


Jens Gustavson’s “Film” emerges as a hauntingly beautiful and introspective track that delves deep into the realms of nostalgia and the irrevocable passage of time. This traditional rock ballad, with its bluesy undertones, stands out for its simplicity and honesty in production, allowing the raw emotion and depth of the lyrics to take center stage.


The song’s melancholic melody immediately sets a reflective tone, reminiscent of the works of Tindersticks or Madrugada. Gustavson’s vocal delivery, soaked in a poignant blend of longing and acceptance, perfectly complements the instrumentation’s minimalist approach. It’s this simplicity that amplifies the song’s emotional impact, creating a space where listeners can immerse themselves in their own reflections.


Lyrically, “Film” speaks to the universal experience of life’s transient nature. Translated, the lyrics poetically narrate the journey of parting ways and moving forward, encapsulating the essence of memories fading with time. “It’s just me who sees, it’s just me who knows, how it is,” Gustavson sings, conveying the solitude of personal experience and memory. The song beautifully captures the bittersweet realization that even if paths cross again, the past cannot be recaptured or relived in the same way.


What stands out most in “Film” is its introspective narrative – a reminder that our most significant moments often reside only in our memories, akin to a personal film that only we can view. Gustavson eloquently expresses the longing for what once was and the acceptance of its transformation into mere memories. This theme resonates particularly in the lines, “What meant so much to me, you have now forgotten. It exists only in my own head.”


In essence, “Film” is a poignant exploration of the solitary nature of personal history and the inevitability of change. Its melancholic yet comforting melody, coupled with Jens Gustavson’s emotive storytelling, offers a powerful and introspective listening experience. Fans of the emo and alternative rock genres will undoubtedly appreciate the song’s raw honesty and the universal message it conveys. “Film” is not just a song; it’s a resonant reflection on the fleeting nature of life’s moments and the solitude of personal memory.


https://bsideguys.com/2023/11/12/song-review-jens-gustavson-film/

30 Oktober 2023

Alt77 blogg

Jens Gustavson – Söndag 14° dis

Genre: Dream Pop, Lo-fi Rock, Psychedelic Rock

The ancient Yogic texts clearly state that any man who has opted to embark on a spiritual journey needs a guru, a teacher, and someone to inspire them while on their travels. But does it need to be a righteous man, a wise man, or one that’s found the proverbial light? Not really. It can be anyone as long as the student is ready to learn to take on the teacher’s best traits and disregard the faults. 

Jens Gustavson has taken on Nick Cave as a teacher, but has pushed the boat further up into the stream than their musical predecessor would’ve allowed it to go. The result is music that settles to the ground like a mountain of white, heavy snow. It’s a sound that, if you accept it, will guide you to a story that is not your own and from which you won’t be able to leave until it’s over. 


Jens Gustavson’s “Söndag 14° dis” is a meditative, poetic exercise. It’s a song that acts as a veritable travelogue through Sweden’s beautifully haunted expanse. The music is driven forward, slowly, by a melancholy-ridden guitar. This, echoing through the use of a violin box replacing a plectrum, ends up sounding like a mellotron. The drums are introduced later and intervene shyly, almost trying to avoid startling the listener. Gustavson’s music owes something to Cave’s recent forays into atmospheric poetry-rock, but its sorrowfulness is all its own. 


https://alt77.com/jens-gustavson-and-circle-reviewed/

26 Oktober 2023

Roadie-music

(Översättning från portugisiska)

ENJOY AND APPRECIATE THE GREATNESS OF JENS GUSTAVSON’S SINGLE “FÄRJEKARLEN”!


Jens Gustavson stands out on the Indie Rock scene with his interesting compositions, and his new single “Färjekarlen” would be no different. Jens Gustavson combines references from different styles and creates a unique atmosphere in his productions, as in this new single, which was released on October 17, 2023. The song is a long journey at the same time that it fixes itself in the place where it is, being a great option for all listeners who enjoy music that transports you without leaving your seat. Available on the main digital music platforms, “Färjekarlen” is a single that presents Jens Gustavson's proposal well.

juliana figueira


https://roadie-music.com/curta-e-aprecie-a-grandeza-do-single-farjekarlen-de-jens-gustavson/