- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
-
Loney, Noir is an excellent little album and a great precursor to spring that seems so far away right now.
-
Svanangen's bright falsetto holds his miniature musical tapestries together.
-
Twee or not, there is a brilliant simplicity to Svanangen's music, though the tunes are never sparse.
-
There’s a lot to be impressed with here, but it’s the emotional intimacy that the songs establish even at their most grandiose that makes the album great.
-
Whilst this ceaseless good feeling will be too much for some, even those who don’t list this style of music amongst their interests may find enough variation here to keep coming back, as each song differs enough in its construction to warrant repeat visitations.
-
To say that this disc is merely great "psych-folk from Sweden" would be to ignore its more, um, intimate qualities.
-
Folky, orchestral indie-pop that's surprisingly effervescent and hopeful.
-
Think Belle and Sebastian or a touch of Aberfeldy and take that east over the North Sea to Sweden, adding exquisite touches of orchestration and a touch more wistfulness as you go, and you have a rough template for the sound of Loney Dear.
-
Not likely to appeal to your common or garden new raver, but perfect with a nice cup of tea.
-
Loney, Noir is a beautiful serving of melancholia, and one of the most interesting and fully realised home recordings I’ve heard in a long time.
-
This is comfort music, and comfort never goes out of style. And while the aura of dreamy romantic abstraction is the same, Svanängen distinguishes himself from his peers on the structural level.
-
These songs are full to the brim with ideas and a charming naivety - but there's a major hurdle that ultimately compromises the enjoyment: the vocals.
-
Loney, Noir is an elegant album of earnest indie pop that will make you wonder where Svanangen has been all your life.
-
Svanangen has a wholly human presence on Loney, Noir, easy to invest in and equally easy to reap rewards from.
-
Q MagazineHis high, thin voice won't grab everyone, but will generate a gentle glow for many. [May 2007, p.125]
-
Rarely does an album ingratiate itself so immediately and so quickly wear out its welcome.
-
UncutOne of the year's most uplifting records so far. [May 2007, p.99]
-
Under The RadarFunctions as an AM Gold collection filtered through Swedish shortwave radio with indie sensibilities. [#16, p.93]
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 10 out of 11
-
Mixed: 0 out of 11
-
Negative: 1 out of 11
-
JohnMay 14, 2007Along with Neon Bilbe, this is my favorite album of the year. Beautiful and energizing... the perfect summer album.
-
GraemeMar 18, 2007
-
mattaMar 12, 2007This is what Sigur Ros would sound like if they sang in English and released a twee-pop album. Gorgeous.