Maia Hirasawa Though, I’m Just Me

• Still June
• Crackers
• Mattis & Maia
• Parking Lot
• And I Found This Boy
• Star Again
• Gothenburg
• My New Friend
• Say Goodbye
• You and Me and Everyone We Know
• Roselin

This Swedish-Japanese singer-songwriter is the latest in a long line of Swedish artists to get albums released in the U.S. This engaging debut, which earned gold album status in Scandinavia, makes it easy to understand why. Songs like “Crackers,” “Mattis & Maia” and “And I Found This Boy” (a Swedish hit single) crackle with pure pop energy and unforgettable hooks. Hirasawa’s quirky, flirtatious vocals add to the (foreign) intrigue. The music – produced by Hirasawa -- comes off as up-to-date while cleverly drawing on retro influences like Joni Mitchell and Petula Clark (yes, Pet Clark).

For its U.S. release, the album gets four extra tracks tagged onto the end. Unfortunately, this detracts from its overall impact, since none are particularly inspired, especially the unplugged cover of the Swedish band the Ark’s “The Worrying Kind,” which sounds way too much like the golden oldie “Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes.”

Abstract by Tony Sclafani