NOEL

The up-and-coming NOEL returns with a fretful five-track offering and slick pop production on the EP Mementos.

It would appear that the Stockholm native is doing his best to make a name for himself. From performing covers on social media, the artist is now looking to establish his own space in the pop community.

NOEL’s first full EP, Headed North, only arrived in March 2024, but its author has not taken the excuse to rest on his laurels. Instead, we have been graced by his sophomore pop pronouncement, Mementos.

In August, the Swedish singer impressed with the quirky ‘Flowers at a Funeral’, which excellently, if unconventionally, captures the swirl of emotions that accompany a break-up. It’s about going through the pain of loss while remembering the joy of the high points.

After whetting our appetite with that tasty morsel a few months back, NOEL has returned to serve up a more substantial, if not quite as potent, main course.

While the previous single tempered melancholy with the glow of good times gone by, the rest of the project opts for a more fretful, fragile theme.

On songs like ‘Without Calling’ and ‘Heart Full of Ghosts’, NOEL continually ponders if he is enough, or if he will be the death of the relationship.

In the former, the songwriter opines:
“I’ve made a mess of it lately
It’s time to pay all my dues
You know the dark doesn’t faze me
But I’d rather face it with you.”

To reinforce his fears, the artist adds in ‘Heart Full of Ghosts’:
“I’m a live grenade
She’s not afraid
I could let her down
Any minute now
It’s not too late
Still a kiss away
We can still back out.”

Thematically, the stories are fretful, self-critical, and never far from casting aside the silver lining in favour of the dark cloud.

While there isn’t anything as unconventional as ‘Flowers at a Funeral’, the premise of each song facilitates fun, charismatic, well-balanced pop.

NOEL emotes to the fullest, bringing out warm, compelling vocal performances throughout.

This five-track project (including a bonus track) manages to mix acoustic instruments like guitar and piano against the electronic with great aplomb.

On the standout track ‘Out of My Mind’, proceedings begin with twinkling, almost melancholic piano and patiently build into a punchy pop ballad. The twinkling piano becomes throaty, adding a sense of drama, with a constant thrum or beat in the background to maintain the impetus, as NOEL cranks out an impressive refrain with flavourful ease.

The musicianship is moreish throughout. If you desire folk, you’ll enjoy the Lumineers-esque ‘Flowers at a Funeral’; for those who need a little more élan, the bop ‘Heart Full of Ghosts’ will suit you well. Meanwhile, the guitar-led ‘Nightmare’ has the air of James Bay about it.

Overall, Mementos is a fun, if angsty, short trip through the metaphorical tunnel of love. The EP is a strong endorsement of NOEL’s vocal chops and his excellently produced musical backing.

It would be no surprise to see the Swede on pop radio, and Mementos would be a worthy representation of its creator’s talents.