release date: May 6, 2016
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,90]
producer: Povel Olsson; Klas Gullbrand; mfl.
label: Universal Music - nationality: Sweden
Track highlights: 1. "Den första är alltid gratis" (5 / 5) (live) - 2. "Vi mot världen" (4 / 5) - 4. "Dom sa!" - 5. "Gjord av sten" - 6. "Svart sommar" - 7. "Ayahuasca" - 8. "Verkligheten" - 9. "Storma tills vi dör" - 10. "Play och sen repeat"
5th studio album by Veronica Maggio is like the predecessor Handen i fickan fast jag bryr mig (2013) produced by various people - but in particular by Povel Olsson and Klas Gullbrand, who have both produced 4 of a total of 12 tracks each, and the music is composed by an even bolder versatile group of people, although both Salem Al Fakir, Vincent Pontare, Klas Gullbrand, and Povel Olsson are credited on several tracks. The title translates to 'The First Is Always for Free'.
The album topped the albums chart in Sweden as Maggio's third consecutive, and it's a really fine collection of songs, which in many ways sounds more like the natural sequel to Satan i gatan from 2011. Personally, I think her most recent 2013 album was a bit grey and not really particularly outstanding, to keep it politely. On this, on the other hand, Maggio appears to be back in uptempo gear with several sing-a-long choruses that somehow suit her best. Compared to her most recent albums, this one sounds more electropop-founded as opposed to the chamber pop feel found on the predecessor.
Now, Maggio may not possess the widest vocal range, but her voice works more than sufficiently when mixed with catchy patterns, and then she doesn't try one bit to imitate anyone else, which in contemporary pop culture is a seldom quality to hang on to.
The title track is one of her absolute best songs, but the album as such comes with a bunch of other strong songs and all in all, it's easily no less than Maggio's second best to date, basically changeling her 2011 album as her finest.
Highly recommended.
[ Gaffa.dk, Göteborgs-Posten 4 / 5 stars ]
