Erik Hassle

Erik Hassle is a 21 year old 6 foot tall red headed Swede with a knack for song writing. New album 'Pieces’ comes across like some amalgamation of Keane, A-ha and Coldplay, but work very, very well. Latest single 'Hurtful’ is a fine example of the quality of hook laden tracks on 'Pieces’. It starts slow but soon builds up to a huge chorus; a travesty it wasn’t a hit!!

Elsewhere you plenty of tracks around Erik’s lost love(s). 'Bump in The Road’ is a great opener and again sets the tone and pace with a real bounce along tune. Erik’s soulful vocals really shine on these opening tracks. 'Don’t Bring Me Flowers’ has been a previous single and again you can see why it was chosen, even if it has a big of an 80’s feel musically – quite retro synths. 'The Thanks I get’ is a real Coldplay synth/ piano and allows a gentler number to evolve slowly into a big finish – future single? 'Standing Where You left Me’ has a synth throwback from Alphaville, but then adds a driving drum beat to bring it into the 21st Century – a real stadium number.

It’s not all soaring Keane-esque synths though – closer 'Amelia’ has a slower feel with an acoustic guitar to accompany the tale of sorrow and regret. A neat closing number to an album full of big choruses.

'Pieces’ is a great album, but one that somehow I feel may yet slip through the net. Check it out – you won’t regret it!!