Swedish singer/songwriter Ulrika Ölund has been obtaining fans in her native country since 2008, when she released her debut EP ‘Memorylane’. The Västernorrland native and current Gothenburg resident began touring around Sweden whilst her music was lighting up radio stations both nationally and internationally, as she continued to release new singles. As is common for people of Scandinvian birth, Ulrika’s English is highly proficient, and in fact to date she has only released one single in her mother tongue, a track called ‘Längtan Efter Något Större’ back in 2010. Since then Ulrika has been busy writing and entering songwriting competitions, notably reaching the semi-finals of the likes of the International Songwriting Competition and the Unsigned Only Music Competition.
But she finally took the plunge this year and released her first full-length album ‘Paper Planes and Skylines’, a charming slice of country pop that is as youthful as it is wise. Helmed by the heavenly lead single ‘Home’ (a tribute to the place she grew up and what it means to her), which dropped in June, the record is a 10-track collection of wonderfully-produced musings on love and heartbreak, and all the emotions that come with that. On ‘Could This Be Love’, she implores a lover to tell her whether things have expanded beyond casual to a more serious relationship, because she’s starting to feel like she might be in love, while catchy radio-friendly opener ‘Those Were The Days’ is a bittersweet note of nostalgia for a perfect love affair.
From hope and longing in the aforementioned, to the complications of attraction in the unresolved feelings of ‘Puzzle’, ‘Paper Planes and Skylines’ is somewhat an examination of the first forays into love and the different shades of it. ‘Love Me Right’ is a fast-paced depiction of infatuation that suits her Celtic-esque vocals down to a tee, while ‘You Weren’t The One’ takes things from the other side of the fence by taking a mature approach to the ending of a relationship. Throughout the record Ulrika’s songwriting is particularly strong and finds her wise beyond her years, yet still innocent and naïve enough to be a relatable and likeable figure. We feel every ounce of her pain on the minimalistic percussion and later aching pedal steel of ‘Ruins’, as she breaks down for a truly vulnerable moment on a largely positive album. The same can be said for closer ‘Echoes’, a melancholic reflection on the mess of a relationship that was once full of light.
Ulrika’s melodies shine in a manner that is understated but also very instant, highlighting her impressively watertight songcraft and very capable, insightful lyricism. Her voice, in its quivering, charming soprano, is versatile but very distinctive and pretty, and I’m sure she will go down a storm when she embarks on her solo acoustic tour of the US to promote the record (which came out September 1). The album is well worth a listen and I would highly recommend checking her out if she heads your way this Autumn.
Originally posted here.
