Joel Lyssarides: Late On Earth

One might debate whether the phrase "lies, damn lies and statistics" belongs to nineteenth-century British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli or to Mark Twain, but it is hard to dispute the popularity reflected in over 100 million streams. Whatever the numbers say, Swedish pianist Joel Lyssarides' music is clearly resonating with audiences around the world.

Alongside his streaming success, Lyssarides has accumulated numerous jazz awards, which makes it all the more intriguing that the two words most naturally applied to his music might be "quiet" and "intense." Classically trained, he deals in subtlety, light grooves and fine details. His melodic compositions and cascading patterns are supported by his longtime collaborators, bassist Niklas Fernqvist and drummer Rasmus Svensson-Blixt, who provide the perfect foil.

Late On Earth evolved slowly over a four-year period. Often in consultation with producer Andreas Brandis, who encouraged the pianist to take more risks, as Lyssarides explains, "Especially at a time when music is increasingly digitally polished or even entirely generated by AI, Andreas was interested in the total opposite: the human element. In the end it's often the small imperfections that make music come alive—music arises from immediate experience capturing the search for who you are, for your sound, your expression."

The beautiful melody of "Bortom Bergen" opens the album. Lyssarides explores the gently lilting, folk-influenced lines over Fernqvist's lithe bass and Blixt's subtle drums. Lyssarides' notes are often rapid, but there is no sense of hurry; the trio take their time, developing an intimate and engrossing soundscape. That soundscape sets a mood that the album seldom deviates from.

"Mahabalipuram" offers some terrific interplay; drums tick like the movement of an automatic watch while sinuous bass lines weave around the pianist's trademark repetitive figures. They build purposefully, yet their latent power remains contained within the intimate mood. Lyssarides explores another moving melody on "Life In Between," with Blixt's gentle cymbals crashing regularly behind him like breaking waves.

Having set out their stall, the trio continue to entertain, or to soothe, depending on the mood of the listener. They offer carefully curated contrasts in the form of the peace of the title track, the loud and dramatic piano of "Intermission," the improvisation of "Raqs Sharqi" and the emotional journey of "Never Alone."

Supported by his highly intuitive rhythm section, Lyssarides has built a sound that is distinctive, hypnotic and disarmingly clear, capable of evoking contemplative moods, casting spells with repeating motifs and charming with melody, harmony and subtle groove. On this evidence, those stream numbers seem certain to keep climbing.

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