Malin Pettersen: Wildhorse
Have you heard of Nordicana music? If you’re like me, you probably consider yourself well-versed in most things relating to the Americana music genre. However, until the recent album release of “Nordicana artists” like The Northern Belle, I confess that I’d never heard of the term. It’s a term used for artists from Scandanavian countries who are making folk and Americana music. Which brings me to Malin Pettersen, the subject of this review and her new album, Wildhorse. Wildhorse is the album that you’re going to reach for on the rough days to brighten your spirits. That’s not to say that the album doesn’t have it’s slower, thoughtful and even sad songs, but Malin’s warm vocals are enough to bring a bit of color to any gray day.
Although Malin Pettersen’s name may be new to a lot of you out there, she’s no newcomer to music. Raised by a mother who loved jazz and a father who was a country musician, she started her first band, Lucky Lips, in 2009. Inspired by her success with the band, Malin released a solo album, References, Pt. 1 back in 2018 and then followed it with the 2019 album, Alonesome. Although from Norway, Pettersen often found herself in Nashville for recording sessions. Her newest album, Wildhorse, was inspired by her travels around America and the creative relationships she developed during those times. “America has inspired this album in a very direct way, through places I’ve been like California, to places I’ve only read about like Arkansas,” Pettersen says. "I am so fascinated by the way that America is so many things. So many layers… so many worlds in one.” The same could be said about Pettersen’s latest album. It is layered, but each new layer (song) is a different experience for the listener.
Starting off the album is “California,” which quickly became one of my favorite tracks. After one listen, I feel like I know what the soundtrack of the 1960’s in California should have sounded like. The retro, light and airy vibe, oozes with the opening licks of sultry pedal steel, and starts the album off with hints of pop, but with decidedly more substance than what passes for pop these days. California has long been referenced in popular music, but it’s interesting to see how someone who doesn’t live in this country conveys their views of it through song. ”Mr. Memory” is brimming with the sounds straight out of the honky-tonk and if you didn’t know better, sounds like something pulled from the album of a 60’s country queen. “Hometown” is one of two singles that has already been released from the album, and is a testament to leaving your comfort zone and doing bigger and better things, no matter what those back home think.
“I left my worries but I took control
If you ask me I'd say I’m on a roll
People back home would say I’m on a spin
But the same old people don’t know where I’ve been”
You can’t go wrong with any track you choose to listen to, each one will reach out and grab you in it’s own way, but if you listen to one track on this album, make it “Holding Lonely” Malin’s voice is perfection and the dreamy, jazzy, background instrumentals coupled with lyrics full of regret and heartache make this a standout track.
In a year full of ups and downs, Malin Pettersen’s album Wildhorse, is definitely one of the high notes of 2020. In spite of everything that could have possibly gone wrong this year, it’s still been a year of great albums, but for me, this album is one of my favorites. It’s a record that I can see myself reaching for over and over, because it’s an album that can suit almost any mood you find yourself in. Margo Price, Jaime Wyatt, Hailey Whitters, S.G. Goodman and other women in the genre have released some of my favorite albums this year, but I feel like Malin has earned her place with this album. I see big things for Malin and not just in her home country, but also in the US. I think it’s safe to say that Nordicana has a definite place in Americana and the amount of talent coming from these countries is evident in standout stars like Malin.
Find out more about Malin here: