It was a strange occurrence when I came across Passport to Stockholm. In less than a week, I’ll be wheels up, passport in hand, heading to Stockholm’s airport. Needless to say, I couldn’t help but dive into their upcoming All at Once EP, which left me grinning ear-to-ear at this serendipitous happening.
Members Barny (vocals), Tom (guitar/loop pedal), Mariona (cello), and Henri (beats), have been together for just over a year, but their sound reflects that of a polished, time-tested chemistry. Initially funded through a small, but passionate fanbase, the act has since worked with Gordon Mills Jr. (Ed Sheeran, Newton Faulkner), Nick Atkinson (Gabrielle Aplin, Saint Raymond), Amy Wadge (Ed Sheeran, Lewis Watson) and Athlete’s Carey Willets.
The end result can be found below; a four-song collection rife with lingering lyrics, vastly rich soundscapes, and dextrous songwriting abilities. Starting off with the recently released, self-titled track, this London-based act delves into their textured mixture of electronic elements and classic instrumentation. The combination brings associations of legendary producers and singer/songwriters alike, calling on elements of Moby and Coldplay alike. Conversely, “Let Me Know” highlights the folkier side of their artistry, bringing in strong Celtic influences through Mariona’s cello work and Barny’s vocal cadence. However, while the track definitely has influences that have transcended decades and country borders, its modern styling rounds it out perfectly for today’s blogosphere scouring music nerd.
Once you’re finished having a listen through all four tracks, head over to the band’s facebook page to keep tabs on the release and upcoming shows. Word on the street is, their live act is not to be missed. Luckily for our readers across the pond, you can catch them at Weyfest on September 5th.
