Tried and true

Swedish singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson, otherwise known as The Tallest Man on Earth, released his third album, which has stirred up buzz among Dylan-faithful folk fans looking for crooning vocals and chords that make you feel like you’re in the woods.

There’s no hiding Matsson’s success now that he’s performed at Pitchfork Music Festival and toured with Bon Iver, But with “There’s No Leaving Now,” Matsson has distanced himself from Woody Guthrie and put away his usual melancholy for moments at a time.

Opener “To Just Grow Away” approaches the listener from afar. Matsson never shies from his roots in acoustic rhythm, but delves momentarily into small reverb-filled tracks and even a piano ballad on the title track.

The largest criticism for his third album would be the lack of risks taken in the name of adoring folk followers, but to diverge from what he does so well would be too much to take.

With Matsson giving traditionalism a jagged edge and uncommon nuance, how could we blame him?

By Francisco Tirado