Erik Lazaroff & Hökarna “Öppen ridå”
Erik Lazaroff & Hökarna are back with an excellent second album. It’s rock sung in Swedish. It’s more denim than leather.
The music of Swedish band Erik Lazaroff & Hökarna takes us back to the late 60s and 70s on their new album “Öppen ridå”. This is the band’s second album following 2019’s debut album “Under hökens vingar”. “Öppen ridå” is a lovely album of uncomplicated catchy blues-based rock’n’roll. It has been created by a bunch of musicians who clearly love what they do. They play great music without worrying too much about trends, gimmicks or expectations of how things should be done. Sweden had great bands that sounded like this in the 70s. It is fabulous to hear new music created in a similar style in 2024 without trying to be some deliberate retro or tribute act. The band – consisting of Erik Lazaroff (vocals and guitar), Oskar Söderman (bass), Axel Aronsson (drums) and Johan Östergård (guitar) – sounds so natural and effortless when they play. However, there is no doubt plenty of blood, sweat and tears have gone into creating this.
The album’s producer Jörgen ”Jugglo” Wall (former Whale drummer with experience from studio production and engineering with acts such as The Hellacopters, Weeping Willows, KSMB, Thåström and many more) has done a fine and natural production of the band’s music. It has an old-school feel of a band performing together on stage rather than some modern studio production. While some band members have been spotted wearing leather jackets, this album is more denim than leather. The terrific Pugh Rogefeldt vibes are still there. The music is bloody good. It makes me tap my feet whenever I listen to songs such as “Tomgångsblues”, “Kyss”, “Kall som is” and “Rakt in i dimman”. It is a great soundtrack to everyday life. “Öppen ridå” is already one of my favourite albums of 2024. It is so full of joy and great music. Great uncomplicated rock.
“Öppen ridå” is out now via Laz Records.
