Malin Pettersen - “Hometown”
“’It’s the same old people, the same old scene,’ sings Norwegian singer-songwriter Malin Pettersen in this kiss-off to the small-town existence. A restless track about writing oneself a new destiny, it mixes Pettersen’s yearning voice with some airy, echoing production: the spaces between the notes are as wide-open as the narrator’s future.”
Malin Pettersen’s new album Wildhorse is a collection of traveling songs, and her career has definitely been acting like a wild horse lately. It is constantly taking her in new and different directions, delivering unknown opportunities and placing her in front of unfamiliar audiences. The new single “Hometown” is a perfect introduction to Pettersen’s new musical universe, with an irresistible groove and piano that hints towards The Band.
Of the lyrics she says: “The song isn’t necessarily about a specific hometown, but more the idea of a place (mentally or physically) where you get stuck in your ways and forget what is really important to you. Also, getting caught up in what other people might think of you, your music, your choices, etc. can be hard sometimes.”
Her solo debut album landed her a Spellemann award (Norwegian Grammy) and widespread praise back home. But it was the mini-album Alonesome that catapulted her into many music lovers’ consciousness internationally. “Pause”, the first single off of Alonesome was coined “an absolute stunner” by Paste Magazine, while Rolling Stone Country praised the releases' title track. Pettersen wowed audiences at AmericanaFest 2019 in Nashville, which was followed by an album stream from Billboard Magazine in October.
In January 2020, she turned heads at London’s Americana UK and her SXSW calendar was chock full until a worldwide crisis emerged. But these unforeseen obstacles will not stop Malin Pettersen.
In between all of this, she’s found time to record her second full-length album in Nashville, her home away from home. Recorded with seasoned musicians who have performed alongside Kacey Musgraves, Nikki Lane, Colter Wall and the house band at the Grand Ole Opry, there is no shortage of musical chops on display.
"You know, I just got on a plane to go record with these four guys I had barely met before," Pettersen said of the experience. "And I really do feel like we made something special."
For everyone who’s heard Pettersen before, it’s her showstopping voice that reins the listener in – and her songwriting that keeps them there. While her previous album was a collection of sparsely recorded solo songs, this a full-fledged band record that contains breezy west coast pop, groovy country, ballroom ballads, rowdy honkytonk and modern Americana – all obvious sounds from an artist reaching her – thus far – creative peak.
INFO
Malin Pettersen - “Hometown”
Art. no: DWYBOS0008
Released: May 8th, 2020
Tracklist:
1. Hometown
CREDITS
Written & composed by Malin Pettersen
Malin Pettersen: Lead vocals, background vocals
Ryan A. Keith: Piano, acoustic guitar, harmonies
Misa Arriaga: Bass
Aaron Goodrich: Drums & percussion
Eddy Dunlap: Pedal steel, banjo, electric guitar
Buy Malin Pettersen’s album Wildhorse
“Malin Pettersen has more than her share of wisdom, as well as luminous songs, and this lovely album is proof.“
– No Depression