It is extremely problematic with posthumous releases. It must be said first of all. When the rumors about the unreleased music began to spread shortly after Tim Berglings death, twisted it in the belly of me, given his well-known perfectionist side. Fresh in the back of my mind I also had the documentary ”True stories”, which depicts the greedy industry around him.
Barely a year later, the music is here, completed by friends (Albin Nedler and Kristoffer Fogelmark), backed by a sensible family that allows the proceeds go to the prevention of mental ill-health. All in all, feels the aftermath is actually so worthily handled, including the father Klas Berglings speech at the Grammy in years, that my cynicism has been washed away.
the music Avicii downloaded force. As a happy golden retriever sniffing, he’s forgotten melodies, and scoffed at genres. The new single does not contain any innovative genrekrockar like jättehitten ”Wake me up”, but the circle still by Aloe Blacc which is heard in both songs.
The ”SOS” meets his powerful voice to a production as easily as a rising helium balloon to the sky. It is sensitive, playful and elegant trillande melody lines. Airy synths are reminiscent to the French electroproducenter as Fred Falke and Alan Braxe. Completely gone is the heavy basslines that characterized Aviciis early music.
the Star’s fate echoes in the text:
”Can you hear me SOS
Help me put my mind to rest
Two times clear again I’m acting low
A pound of weed and a bag of blow”
”SOS” is only 2:37 minutes long. The ends chopped off and abrupt, just like Tim Berglings too short life.
Read more music reviews by Kajsa Haidl, for example, about how the Blood Orange process their trauma in the music.