Review. Becky and the Bird’s concert in Stockholm

Although Becky and the Birds won a Grammis as this year’s producer for the debut album « Only Music Makes Me Cry Now » from last year, she is still relatively unknown. Abroad, she attracted attention already with her first EP 2018 and was shortly thereafter loosened to the British Indielabel 4ad – a reputable stable where she, as the first Swedish artist, stands side by side as Cocteau Twins and Jenny Hval.

On Saturday night at Bar Brooklyn it is half full when Becky and the Birds take tone. The play begins with the latest single « Should’ve Known Better (Choices) » where the protagonist’s dad guests on accordion in a rare beautiful intro.

After the father Stepped off stands Becky and the Birds, or Thea Gustafsson as she is really called, left in her own Merchandise: a white t-shirt with black print and reinforced shoulders, like a rugby player. The wide silhouette signals that it is she, Becky and the Birds, who is the act – that it is herself who will take a seat and no more.

With Becky and the Birds, Sweden has received its equivalent to British experimental artists such as James Blake and FKA Twigs

With samplers, synth and microphone, she builds up an advanced sound world where the melodies run harmonious roller coaster. Different voices – mainly her own angelic, but also more odd elements such as « pink helicopter » – loop in and out of the arrangements. The music is loose at the edges but the more atmospheric and tiring – as an thoughtful walk on the way home from a messy party. It is heard appreciative calls from the audience when the talented singer reaches Mariah Carey-high tones on « When She Holds Me », and after a resounding strong « Made My Baby Cry », several people dry themselves in their eye.

During the concert tells us Örebro artist about the road here. As a student on the songwriting line on the music makers, she felt that women were not encouraged to produce, and after too many frustrated studio sessions with male producers, she took the matter into her own hands and learned the craft herself.

With Becky and the Birds, Sweden has received its equivalent to British experimental artists such as James Blake and FKA Twigs. As at home in r’n’b as in dance music, which is happy to produce themselves and with voices that really feel. Nevertheless, the Grammy Winner is extremely humble through the gig and thanks the audience repeatedly for getting there. We few who are here do best in enjoying the moment – so intimate it probably won’t be again.

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