Peter Moren

Minus Björn and John, Peter has stepped out on his own with The Last Tycoon, a record that’s as laid-back, low-key and humble as they get. It’s an album that gives up his Swedish trio’s big pop hooks, indie anthems and ear-catching whistles for simple, acoustic-driven tales of everyday life, childhood dreams and honey-eyed eloquence. And above all, it’s one that firmly casts Peter (last name Morén) in the singer-songwriter role, which he plays surprisingly well. While his narratives can be a bit skeletal, Morén and his cracking, off-key vocals give a certain charm to the stripped-downed, folk-styled Tycoon. As one track casually floats to the next, the album never rushes itself, periodically incorporating strings, synths, percussion and a whole lot of handclaps into the mix. In fact, it’s often these added instrumental flourishes that keep the songs interesting and put a unique stamp on Morén’s otherwise traditional "guy with a guitar” approach. All together, the unassuming Tycoon may not change the world but it’s not really trying to either, with Morén sounding entirely content to simply pull some heartstrings.