JAMES YORKSTON - Songs For Nina And Johanna

For his third outing with Stockholm's Second Hand Orchestra, James Yorkston not only delivers his most romantic and loosely structured set of songs yet, but also renews his partnership with Cardigans singer Nina Persson, while enlisting the equally admired First Aid Kit vocalist Johanna Söderberg to lend a hand.

The ten tracks on “ Songs For Nina And Johanna ” are split almost evenly between the two vocalists (five for Nina, four for Johanna) and, while lacking the depth and dramatic weight that have always defined Yorkston's music, taken together they're enjoyable and occasionally remarkable.

The musician puts his storytelling skill to work on a curious, hybrid country-pop that hovers between Scotland and Sweden. The overriding impression is that the author at times steps almost to the side, leaving plenty of room for the two female voices. The fleeting, graceful charm of “ Songs For Nina And Johanna ” is at once the strength and the Achilles heel of a record that isn't always memorable.

It's no surprise that the two best tracks were chosen as singles. The interplay between Yorkston's fine fingerpicking and the dark undertow of bass and violin on “A Moment Longer” pairs beautifully with Nina Persson's voice; Johanna Söderberg, meanwhile, is a perfect fit for the sunnier romp of “Love/Luck”, a folk'n'roll-flavoured track elevated to sublime heights by its sax solo.

The spot-on emotional pitch of “I Can Change” and the dark allure of “Rabbit” put Persson's voice through its paces; Söderberg, for her part, holds her own, though with a slight dip in form here and there (the unnecessary “I Spooked The Neighbours”).

As enjoyable as “ Songs For Nina And Johanna ” is—given that its subject matter (love, family and parenthood) weighs heavily on the record's quota of sweetness and tenderness—and notwithstanding a few excellently crafted episodes (the more elaborate “Where's The Time?” and the evocative “Oh Sparrow, Up Yours”), it ultimately remains one of the weaker chapters in James Yorkston's discography.

Ride the wave of great music

Add OndaRock to your favorite sources on Google Discover. Don't miss our reviews, milestones and latest news straight in your feed.

Follow on Google

07/09/2025