Jesper Lindell possesses a fine singing voice, full of weary character and it’s used to full effect on his latest single ‘Never Gonna Last’. But the song isn’t just about that outstanding, gritty vocal performance; it’s also about the growing instrumental layers that make it so absorbing and rewarding to listen to. Carl Michael Junior Lindvall delivers gorgeously tuneful piano that plays around Lindell’s delicate acoustic guitar, and fluttering mandolin from Martin Björklund. Slowly, more instruments are added, including Jimmy Reimers’ electric guitar and Rasmus Fors’ organ. Then, the outstanding horn section kicks in with Gustav Davidsson on trombone, Jonathan Kronevik on trumpet and saxophone from Malin Wättring. The talented group is rounded out by Anton Lindell on bass and Simon ‘Kosmos’ Wilhelmsson on drums. The quality of the players supporting Lindell is impressive and he displays excellent songcraft in bringing it all together. ‘Never Gonna Last’ was born from bleak times but, ultimately, we can find some hope in Jesper Lindell’s words and performance.
Lindell says of the song: “I wrote ‘Never Gonna Last’ in the middle of the pandemic while I was going through dialysis and waiting for my kidney transplant. It was a period that was often very lonely and I had a lingering unpleasant feeling of life not being quite real. Truthfully, it’s a time I would prefer to leave behind; a time I shouldn’t forget but also don’t want to think about or talk about anymore. But this song was written and recorded at that time. It came to me as I was sitting at a grand piano on the floor above our studio in Brunnsvik, looking out over the lake outside. There were so many horrible things happening at the time, so many people suffering. The line, ‘I hope there’s enough love to go around to every home and everyone that is out there,’ turned up as a fairly helpless, but also hopeful, thought after I’d listened to one specific news story on the radio. The story was about women who, during the pandemic, found themselves locked up with men who dealt with their stress and frustration with drinking and violence. The hope that can be found in this song is actually there for me. Maybe I wrote it to give myself hope that everything would be alright. And things did turn out alright for me after all, and I do really like the song still.”
The song is from Lindell’s new album, ‘Before the Sun’, which will be released on 1st March 2024. The Swedish singer-songwriter’s take on Americana is captivating and the album promises to be a worthy follow-up to 2022’s ‘Twilights’, which AUK gave 9/10 – check the review out here. Also, look out for Lindell’s tour to promote the new record – he’ll take in thirty shows in three countries across March and April. Enjoy.
