Be happy that this record made it out. The work of Stockholm-based singer-songwriter Simon Stålhamrhe, 'Liar Behind The Sun' is an arresting set of pop songs born from a battle against anxiety and depression.
Released as a double 7” and cassette through Kning Disk on July 1, the EP has been a long time coming. Having “crashed completely” two years ago, Stålhamrhe was coaxed back to the microphone by collaborators Jacob Snavely and Christopher Cantillo.
It's a good job they managed it, because these songs deserve to be heard. “I'm ready to do this now,” Stålhamrhe said. “I’m done fighting my windmills.”
Stålhamrhe's voice is delicate and emotive, coming over as a slightly higher-pitched Neil Young, whose influence is apparent throughout.
Rivers – the EP's lead-off single – possesses an isolated, lonely quality not a million miles removed from A Man Needs A Maid, although the title track has a jaunty, alt-pop air and melody that wouldn't have been out of place on an early Shins record.
Dagmar is another quiet, reflective piece carried off by a gentle beat and timely, melodic guitar line before an impassioned crescendo, while Smoke And Mirrors is a stripped-back pop gem layered with harmonies. Hymn comes and goes in just over a minute, a sombre post-script to a record with a pace all of its own.
'Liar Behind The Sun' is the forerunner of a full-length record later in 2013 and if Stålhamrhe has more songs like this up his sleeve, then there's no reason that it won't land heavily at the summit of several end of year lists.
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