Sjöblom – Demons (Album – Reptile Music)

Genre/Influences: Indie-Pop/Rock.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.

Background/Info: “Demons” is the second album by Swedish artist Johan Sjöblom Eliot aka Sjöblom. He’s also involved with The Exploding Boy, but now strikes back with this new work, which comes five years after the debut album “6”. The opus was preceded by three singles.

Content: Sjöblom brings a mix of Pop and Rock in a pure Indie-approach. Some songs also reveal some 80s influences. The work has been accomplished with a good balance between guitar playing and electronics. There’s a twist between sweet- and a few harder songs. One of the songs features female backing vocals.

+ + + : “Demons” is a pretty accessible album featuring a diversified tracklist. The main strength of the album for sure is the elevating effect of some choruses. The best tracks are right at the end and especially “A Thousand Words” is worthy of examination. I like the guitar playing, which is more explicit while the song is carried by a cool chorus. The title song is another attention grabber featuring female backing vocals. This song is more into emotion. Last, but not least I also have to say a word about the sober, but artistic digipak.

– – – : The previously released singles (cf. “Telephone”, “Tape” and “Brand New Life”) can’t really convince me and are rather disappointing compared to other songs. However, the album is missing a true potential hit.

Conclusion: “Demons” sounds a bit like a master key; easy listening music for a wider audience.

Best songs: “A Thousand Words”, “Demons”, “The Storm”.

Rate: 6½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/sjoblomofficial

Label: www.reptile-music.net / www.facebook.com/reptile.music

About Sjöblom

Sjöblom is the solo project of Swedish musician Johan Sjöblom Eliot, born 25 January 1972 in Uppsala and based in Stockholm. He is also a member of the post-punk band The Exploding Boy.

The project started in 2016 with the singles “Oh My Heart” and “The Choice” and the debut album “6”. “The Last Call” followed in 2017 and the “A Victory Of Love” EP in 2019, which included a cover of Alphaville.

After moving to the German label Reptile Music for the 2020 single “Not A Man For You”, the project issued the singles “Telephone”, “Tape” and “Brand New Life” in 2021. The second album “Demons” followed on 24 September 2021 on digital and CD, with an LP edition in 2022. It holds ten tracks and runs 36 minutes.

A “Demons” single with Anna Sjödén followed in March 2022 and a remix of “The Storm” by The Foreign Resort in 2023. In September 2023 the project signed to COP International, and further singles appeared in 2024.

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