Few flaws mar the debut of this young Swedish singer, but neither are there many moments that distinguish it from other
femme-pop
confections.
Loell
deserves credit for writing her own material, which is marked by happy, head-bobbing hooks, sunshiny angst, and melodies that never stray far from the root. Her command of English isn't complete; on
"I Understand"
she solemnly informs a lover that "your eyes tells me" what's on his mind, and the title
"Right Up Your Face"
is a koan on its own. Her vocal delivery, however, reduces such moments to charming distractions. With all the affectations ironed out, there aren't many bumps left on this road; it's a smooth cruise through bubbly dance grooves like
"Lover Undercover"
and
"Utopia"
and soft-core medium-tempo anthems like
"Come a Little Closer,"
with its pixie-like "yeah, yeah, yeah" chorus riff. Aside from
"I Understand,"
there are no
ballads
on
Sofia Loell
; even
"Miss You,"
a litany of reasons why loneliness seems disagreeable, is set to a buoyant 6/8. Clearly
has, as she affirms on one track, her feet off the ground and head in the clouds -- in other words, she has arrived in the airy realm where
pop
divas dwell before taking on the weight of time. ~ Robert L. Doerschuk