Album Review: Boy Omega ‘Hope On The Horizon’ (Stereo Test Kit Records)
So, who is the next singer-songwriter to get blogland in a flurry of writing and praise? Well, if I have anything to do with it, it’s a young man from Sweden called Martin Henrik Gustafsson, who records under the name Boy Omega.
Though his previous efforts were more of a solo effort, with an electronic feel, this album has much more of a band feel. And, as almost a refreshing difference, as a result of listening to albums like Blonde on Blonde and a lot of Phil Spector, he has produced one of the warmest sounding albums you will hear all year. Reprotedly ‘more is more’ became the catchphrase in the studio, and boy, has it paid off.
Whilst comparisons with his vocal style with Bright Eyes’ Connor Oberst are inevitable, and there are definite hints of Elliott Smith, Sufjan Stevens and Arcade Fire, the sound here, right from the off with opener ‘A Quest For Fire’ is distinctive and special. An album that lyrically owes a lot to what could losely be termed the human condition, this is one of the best things you will hear this year. This is just too good to remain a fringe thing.
****1/2
‘Hope On The Horizon’ is released on Stereo Test Kit on November 5.
From Hope on the Horizon:
Boy Omega -‘Suffocation Street.’ mp3
From The Black Tango
Boy Omega -‘By Midnight We’ll Give It A Go.’ mp3
Boy Omega -‘Explode.’ mp3
From The Grey Rainbow (mini-album)
Boy Omega -‘Burn This Flag.’ mp3
Other Boy Omega mp3s:
Boy Omega -‘We Might Not be Real (slow version).’ mp3
Boy Omega -‘Fool Around.’ mp3
Boy Omega -‘From Us To Eternity.’ mp3
And, as ever, please met me know what you think, and if you like what you hear, go buy it from your local independent record store!