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Review: Tallest Man on Earth – Dark Bird is Home

★★★★☆

Four stars

Tallest Man On Earth, also known as Kristian Matsoon, is the most earnest and Swedish man in the world. His new album Dark Bird is Home is a reflection of his difficult personal life over the last year, during which he lost a close friend. The album, written during his travels after his album release in 2012, is introspective, but also larger in scale than his previous work, which relied on lyrical tropes for its material.

In the title song, he sings, “There are many ways of sorrow,” and this is certainly an album concerned with sorrow, recuperation and redemption in a way that is reminiscent of the music of Fiorella, maybe even Bon Iver. However, it is also an album about connecting with people, and this is reflected musically. It is the first of his albums to employ instrumentation from other people. Until now, he has simply employed an acoustic guitar and his soulful voice, but don’t worry, the new album is no less direct and moving.

The ‘Dark Bird’ of Tallest Man On Earth has finally spread his wings, and flown gloriously away. This new album will ensure success with old fans, as well as a number of new fans too, and is an excellent addition to the discography of this particularly Swedish, particularly earnest man. 

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