We Speak Music
Lauri Järvilehto Embraces Melancholy in ‘Songs About Sadness’
Finnish musician and philosopher Lauri Järvilehto has returned to the music scene with, Songs About Sadness, a genre-defying album that combines indie-pop and electro-rock to explore themes of melancholy, family, and the search for meaning. Released earlier this week, the album has already earned praise for its emotional depth and innovative production.
Järvilehto, who spent much of the past decade focused on philosophical research and writing, says the album represents a turning point in his creative process. “I wanted to approach this project differently,” he explained. “Playing every instrument and programming every sound myself allowed me to express emotions in a way that felt truly authentic.”
The album’s two halves offer distinct yet interconnected themes. The first side focuses on personal reflections, with tracks like ‘Maze’ delving into existential questions and ‘Typhoon’ celebrating resilience in the face of challenges. The second half broadens its scope to societal themes, with songs such as ‘Fair Insight’ urging listeners to confront global issues.
Adding to the album’s emotional resonance are collaborations with Järvilehto’s daughter Silja, whose vocals appear on two tracks. Critics have highlighted these collaborations as a standout feature, noting the intergenerational dynamic as both touching and thought-provoking. “It’s rare to hear such personal family stories told through music,” one reviewer commented.
Mastered at Abbey Road Studios, Songs About Sadness, is a bold statement on the human condition. By embracing sadness as an essential part of life, Järvilehto has created an album that encourages listeners to reflect, connect, and find solace in the complexities of existence.
What happens when a guitarist decides to write the most brazen rock song he can think of? In Pembroke Tenneson’s case, the answer is “Sex Appeal”.
The title says plenty, but the song goes considerably further. Tenneson throws himself into a world of self-praise and outrageous confidence, with one boast following another. It is cheeky stuff, but there is a real affection for the music behind the joke.
Tenneson has talked about his love of the early-1970s rock sound that inspired the track, and that comes across in the attitude of the performance. He is not trying to make the song subtle. He wants the guitars, vocals and lyrics to have some swagger.
The best thing about “Sex Appeal” is that the humour never takes over completely. There is a brilliant rock song underneath all the showing off, and Tenneson clearly cares about making it sound authentic as well as making people smile.
That makes this an appealing introduction to his forthcoming material. “Sex Appeal” is the first of 14 original songs he has been developing, so there is plenty more on the way to look forward to.
For now, though, Tenneson has picked an entertaining way to reintroduce himself as an artist. “Sex Appeal” has attitude, a catchy refrain and enough cheek to make it stand out. Stream below (via Now Listen):
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