Taken By Trees

When Victoria Bergsman announced last year that she was leaving hopeful Swedish pop act the Concretes to pursue a solo career, you knew who was going to get the raw deal. Applaud her former group for continuing on without her but as they’ve proven without her, the magic that band had was held in her beautifully reticent voice. That her voice became a key player in one of the most recognisable and boisterous hits of the year — Peter Bjorn & John’s "Young Folks — is purely by accident because as Victoria Bergsman demonstrates on her debut solo album, she’s a timid creature looking to do her own thing without any commotion. Assuming the moniker Taken By Trees demonstrates her hesitation to pursue the fame that awaits her, though an album as fine as Open Field won’t keep her in the dimly lit spotlight she desires. Produced and partially performed/arranged by Bjorn Yttling of PB&J, Bergsman has found the perfect companion to help steer her soft machine. While it’s busier than it sounds, what the two of them have accomplished is just a few decibels above whispering. Oddly enough, the centre point is the awe-inspiring title track, which just so happens to be the album’s only instrumental — an immaculate example of Yttling’s ability to cater to Bergsman’s needs. It might not have the indie pop spark of the Concretes’ self-titled album but if you listen carefully, you’ll hear something much more fulfilling: the tender sound of a contented artist finding her stride.