PREMIERE | lodet, 'Many Days' EP

Introducing lodet, aka Joakim Björnberg; press photo courtesy of Andrea Hed.

Curious things can occur when songwriters and ghostwriters step out from the wings and onto the center stage. Consider the timeless Tapestry that was the result of the brilliant pop aesthetic architect of the 20th century Carole King, presenting an astounding solo performance cycle of the hits she penned for girl groups, boy groups, starry eyed balladeers and other idolized ambassadors of youth culture. King further immortalized those top charting songs into a timeless set of songs that still resonate today as sonically, personally, psychically and spiritually as they did in 1971.

Taking part in this tradition, we introduce Joakim Björnberg's solo moniker lodet with a debut listen to the mesmerizing Many Days EP. Having already established himself as a songwriter in the J-Pop scene; Joakim has created an astounding assembly of anachronistic AM radio rockers that recall the sounds and sentiments recollected from memories of the artist's upbringing in Trollhättan, Sweden. Indulging in a bouquet of delicately designed, carefully curated hypnagogic fashions of vintage pop inspired sophistication; lodet's Many Days shines like a sunny afternoon spent with Björnberg in green pastures beneath azure skies…leisurely gardening and sipping cups of coffee.

Joakim Björnberg, aka lodet, shared the following reflections on the EP:

Many Days is a day dreamer's reflection on his past. Always remembering the sun but only when it’s behind the clouds. Diffusion rains over his untouched neck giving him goosebumps. Written in Sweden and recorded in Virginia, this project is about the destinations without intent; life is more the byproduct of the attempt than the original intention. May this music make the listener smell a smell of the past in the future with their ears.

Many Days specializes in a smart brand of album rock power pop that reaches toward the outer time-splitting expanses of future days past. The title track examines the ennui ticking away the moments that make up the cycles that comprise our days in an era of new norms of unrequited and unreal realities. “Days” rocks with the learned wisdom and wonder like an early to mid-70s solo-Beatles member recording. Joakim arranges a gentle and firm sophisticated mix of melancholia with lyrical thought processes that resonate with the state of our collective house arrest. These perspectives of life and the passing time are seen through the lens of being on the inside looking outward, gazing at a world that rests at a semi-standstill. "Calling" imbibes from the psychedelic fountain of contemporary freak-out fare; swiftly shaking some action around a hook of calling for you recitations that pounce like jagged jaguars with the speed of a not so-tame impala.

Exploring the pastoral fields with album pop guru lodet; photographed by Andrea Hed.

"Humble Guy" [loosely built off the Zombies’ “Beechwood Park” rhythm sequencing] begins like a throwback concept album emerald prime for usage in the latest Wes Anderson doll house cinematic spectacle, right before exploding into the blaze of a hip shaking, boot-bending boogie at the one minute and thirty-six second mark. The joyous brilliance and strangeness of "Alien in Me" is a unique slice of joie de vivre that marries Merseybeat obsessions with salsa rhythms. It could be said that "Alien" is the best and oddest composition that Emitt Rhodes never composed, a freewheeling ode to the creative muse avatar that lies from within the artist’s being. Then there is the standout perfect studied pop masterpiece “Chasing Circles”. It’s the 90s new radical presence of style and attitude, the suave of lusty Los Angeles 80s heartbreak heroes with the polyester progressive panache of a 70s svengali. As a whole, Many Days stands as an ambitious time twisting cult sophisti-pop rarity that bops to the esoteric beat, like an obscure and obsessive reissue of an influential underdog.

We also present a first viewing of the pastiche video from director Max Gronowitz for lodet's "Many Days". Joakim Bjornberg introduces the visual with the following prelude:

“Many Days” is a day dreamers reflection on his past. Always remembering the sun but only when it’s behind the clouds.

Many Days will be available December 11 via Allen Road Music.

Cover art for the Many Days EP; courtesy of Andrea Hed.