Creative Commons

This was the case for Swedish trio Peter, Bjorn and John who has had a challenging time following up to the blockbuster success of their third studio album, “Writer’s Block,” back in 2006, in which stand-out track, “Young Folks” became the choice whistling anthem for the year.

Soon after, Peter, Bjorn and John disappointed fans with the release of their highly anticipated follow-up album, “Living Things,” and it felt that the band will never again capture the magic from their one smash record. 

By enlisting the help of Per Sunding, the same producer who helped to create their euphonious sound for “Writer’s Block,” in Peter, Bjorn and John’s sixth studio album, “Gimme Some,” it seems that the band is finally back on the same track that catapulted them into mainstream success almost five years ago. 

Comprised of 11 short tracks, “Gimme Some” feels like a 37-minute glimpse into the soundtrack that summer road trips through the Swedish countryside are made of. 

The infectious opening track, “Tomorrow Has to Wait,” is the perfect song to set the stage for the entire album with its sing-along worthy melody and the cyclic, rhythmic drums thumping throughout its duration.

The band chose the appropriately titled, “Second Chance,” to be the first single off their album and is the love letter to their fans asking them for another chance after their the mediocre release of their last record. “You can’t count on a second chance/But second chance will never be found/You can’t count on a second try/But second try will come home.”

Peter, Bjorn and John incorporated the cowbell into the track, an instrument that was heavily used in “Writer’s Block,” sending the message out that they have returned to what they know best and rightfully so, as the band could almost trademark upon this category of breezy poppy song that is usually infused with some type danceable drum and guitar interlude; a formula the band has perfect to a tee.

Other note-worthy tracks from the album include “Dig a Little Deeper” and “Eye” which contain an air of nostalgia with their infectious 60’s-esque melodies that make listeners want to reminisce alongside lead singer Peter Moren crooning vocals. 

From “Breaker, Breaker,” and its heavier emphasis on the electric guitar riffs, the album evolves from just strictly catchy and melodious songs and on to tracks that feel like they’ve been left out in the studio to mature and experiment with a taste of punk. 

Reminiscent of Morrisey ballads from The Smiths, “May Seem Macabre,” is the first defining track in which the band had a chance to tone down the heavy instrumentals to let Moren’s vocals power through the song. It’s soulful and stirring but before fans could truly appreciate the aesthetics of the track, its over within a blink of an eye; the downfall of incorporating only songs on the shorter side in this album.

Although Peter, Bjorn and John might have deliver a sound record all-together the question still remains: did the Swedish trio finally release something that will triumph the most recognizable whistle hook in recent years? And while the answer does not lie in “Gimme Some,” the results are still incredibly close. 

Reach Candice Aman here.