Sophie Zelmani

Zelmani's fourth album may at first sound laid back and a little vague. But listen to it closely, on high volume, and the air of being laid back disappears instead showing a very sensitive album, intensive in a careful and seemingly shy way. As usual Lars Halapi is the producer and the sound is similar to Zelmani's and his previous releases. A bit more solemn than Time to Kill, more country than the debut, and with some songs reminding even more of Dylan's Oh Mercy and Time Out of Mind than did Precious Burden. Commercially speaking Zelmani should probably release something more different, something that would produce headlines and make it easy to differ between her albums, but artistically she has shown an unusual and determined development in a clearly confined area, almost possible to examine scientifically. There may be a few more steps to take when it comes to lyrics writing, but if Zelmani uses some standard phrases, she does manage to load them with a whole lot of sincerity. The other possible complaint is the often mentioned even mood of the album (and of her last two albums), but Zelmani and Halapi have come close to perfecting this melancholy and sparse countryesque sound, as can be heard in "Once," a duet with Freddie Wadling. ~ Lars Lovén, All Music Guide