Avner is probably the most interesting artist to sprout in Sweden right now. When his debut single, Bed För Mig, appeared late in April, I was a tad bit hesitant towards the snobbery that he first portrayed in the music and the simplistically luxurious music video. But after all, I knew that Sincerely Yours was behind him, so I knew I’d spend my time right by checking him out thoroughly.

Avner is a unique artist in many ways. He’s The Yellow Artist, as he likes to describe himself. He painst yellow stripes in his face and always flashes his well-groomed chest. His speak-singing, nasal and deadpanapproach to vocals delivers the sort of lyrics sporting an existential despair and dejection that Sincerely Yours have made a signum of, especially with the fantastic Nordpolen.

There was never any doubt that Avner was going to release his music on SY, which he expresses in a short interview in Swedish in the video at the bottom of the post. The extreme straight-forwardness of the music is relentless in its concise style. The lyrics and vocal performance are ridiculously naive and nakedly exposing the inner thoughts of the songwriter. Anxiety to death. At a loss concerning love. A frantic, percussion-heavy tempo. A solemn piano. An echoing chamber. Fears and hopes and dreams. A stream of councsciousness. Unconscious mood. A sincerity that lives up to the label’s name and a self-willed performance style that lives up to the label’s reputation reputation. There is a Swedish saying that wonderful is short. I leave Avner’s world after a mere eight tracks and 28 minutes. And I’ve never heard anything quite like it. It’s an absolutely brilliant proof of how stylistic bravour and cultural relevance can walk hand in hand with raw, naked sincerity and unique, personal artistic integrity. I praise Avner especially for the brave heart of putting his thoughts and feelings on his sleeve like no other artist I know of has done before. That’s why his debut album Lyssna is something every person should consider sitting down and listen to. We need more of his spirit in the cultural movement.

These truly are feelings that stay for a lifetime. Come back to me if you want any translations of his lyrics. I’ll consider translating all the texts later on.

The driving percussion and uplifting piano brings Tellier’s La Ritournelle to mind. And: watch out! Can’t tell you what but you’ll understand when you listen to the track. So dodgy and sneaky and so effectful!

Avner - Känslor <— <3