The Tallest Man on Earth has dusted off his folk to create a work, Henry St., that sets him apart from his fabulous previous albums and makes him shine.
It may not be the best album among the six that Swedish Kristian Matsson has offered us since Shallow Grave in 2008. But almost. If we ignore the nostalgic attachment that the artist’s admirers (like us) might have for his first projects, it is clear that Henry St. is a welcome evolution in the journey of The Tallest Man on Earth. , which comes back to us after four years (if we don’t count a cover album, in 2022).
Something has changed: we’ve given the folk sounds a lot more body on this new record. For the first time, Matsson surrounded himself with a group of musicians. An example: In Your Garden Still, which, in all it is, has a lot of potential to hook listeners, but also to amaze (positively) regulars of The Tallest Man.
Other things have remained the same: the pen of Matsson, fabulous storyteller, leads us into captivating epics. The melodies are wonderful. Some pieces have this refined side that we love about the artist. They live well with those who have had a veneer that distances them from alternative music, makes them more accessible – the music of The Tallest Man on Earth is not usually hard to approach, but stays away from popular standards .
The tracks Slowly Rivers Turn, with the perfect chorus, Goodbye, tinged with blues, as well as the title track, where the piano is enchanting, are among our favorites. They perfectly depict the extent of what Kristian Matsson can achieve, musically and in terms of his superb lyrics as well.
The Tallest Man on Earth is still one of the most talented folk artists of his generation, Henry St. is further proof of that. We may stop comparing him to Bob Dylan one day. This work is a step in that direction. The vocal style is still similar to that of his idol, we still hear this folk tradition that Matsson carried until our era. But The Tallest Man on Earth has long been an artist in his own right, who we enjoy seeing evolve.