Kristoffer Hilmarsson, the artist behind -lIne-, has been in several band line-ups before the forming this project. Hilmarsson has also performed at almost every open stage in his home country, Sweden, as a solo artist. In May 2019 he decided to move his career to the next level by creating -lIne-, and has released 3 singles since then, including “I wanna kill you in the shower”. From the opening jangling jazz guitar intro of his first single “Where You Are”, to the last reverberant notes of his latest release, “Lovely”, you’re subjected to an incredible journey that seamlessly straddles a devastating range of emotions and tones. Few artists have displayed so many influences and yet sounded so wholly original.
How many guitar-straddling troubadours have succeeded in writing a lyric as simple but as overwhelmingly vivid as, “He said, I hate you because you breathe. A waste of sperm the world didn’t need”? How many singer-songwriters have matched that perfect triumphant vocal climax in in the chorus: “I wanna kill you in the shower?” The answer, to my ears, both of which have been around the block, is not many.
Kristoffer Hilmarsson aka -lIne- is probably one of the most interesting and talented musicians to come out in recent years. Due to amount of range Hilmarsson’s voice possesses, he is able to single handedly change the mood, or evoke some otherwise unseen emotion, in the various points of his songs.
The effects of the above statement, is seen excellently on this track. He begins the song with some mellow, easy-flow singing and then during the bridge and chorus he extends himself into a melody that would trip most vocal chords of whom we consider good singers.
With his ridiculous vocal range, of what sounds like three and a half octaves, and his lusciously smooth music production, the single “I wanna kill you in the shower” will certainly garner critical acclaim and will probably also gain high respect from his peers.
Throughout the song –lIne’s- constant change of singing tone, makes the mood of the listener swing with the lyrics the artist is delivering. The organic instrumentation on the track and throughout the song is also superb and helps create the perfect backdrop for Hilmarsson vocal expertise.
Lyrically, Kristoffer Hilmarsson is a very talented individual. While the song seems to be simply centered on a problematic relationship, it’s not the relationship you immediately think about. After a couple of listens, Hilmarsson’s flawless imagery and razor-sharp wordplay, will enlighten you on the song’s core theme, adding another dimension to the ingenious beauty of this track.
Hilmarsson’s utter originality and emotional bareness in lyrical conception is what makes –lIne – so impacting, and what will harness new fans into the strange yet beautiful music he creates. The lyrics and music complement each other so nicely that it leaves you completely stunned of what’s just happened after listening to it. Especially once you’ve unraveled the lyrical enigma…
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