FALS (Eric Fallander), a Swedish songwriter, follows up on his 2024 debut with the new album “CHROMATIC SCALES & CATCHY HOOKS”, which features nine songs about love falling apart, presented with crooked humor and sad details. This album was released on 17th September. Allow me to tell you more about it.
“The blisters on my fingertips” is the first song on the album. The song opens with the sweetest melody that I have ever heard. I had to stop and replay it over and over again. The song talked about a character who seems to be in a bad relationship. But, instead of giving up, he loves her so much that he is willing to give it another try. The vocal performance in this song was so heavenly. Combined with the instrumentation, this song made me feel like I was floating on a cloud. It doesn’t get any better than this. What an opener!
The next song is called “As She Motors Away”. This song opens with a brief and striking melody and goes straight into the vocal performance. This song talks about two people who always seem to miss an opportunity to date. So, the song describes this woman that the character doesn’t seem to ever catch up with. Musically, the vocal performance was top-notch, and the instrumentation was literally perfect.
“Cat Hair & Dust Mites” is the next song on the album. This song opens with a relaxed and jazz-like melody. The song is about the aftermath of a breakup. The character seems to blame his tears on allergies, but it isn’t. He’s really upset over the breakup, and you can tell from the vocal performance and instrumentation how the character feels.
Up next is “Wind or Chime”. This song opens with a brief, eerie sound before the vocals set in. This song portrays a character who has realized that whatever he touches turns to shit, especially to the people closest to him. Sometimes, we mess things up, but I believe it’s never intentional, just like what happens in this song. Musically, listeners should expect an unforgettable performance and noteworthy instrumentation that will captivate them instantly.
“Imperfect Rhymes” is what the next song is called. This song goes right into the vocal performance. This song talks about the complications of romantic relationships. In this song, the character seems to accept his partner’s quirks wholeheartedly, but soon he gets fed up and ends things with her. Musically, the vocal performance was outstanding, and the instrumentation was to die for
“The Center cannot hold” is the sixth song on the album. This song also goes straight into the vocal performance. The song is about a character who has finally come to terms with the fact that his relationship is never going to be good and will never not be a lie. Coming to such a realization can’t be easy, and this character is very brave. Musically, Fals gives a Grammy-worthy performance, and the instrumentation was the wind beneath his wings.
The next song is “The Wicked and the Weary”. This song opens with a short folksy melody before the vocal performance begins. From the lyrics, we find out that in this story, Pinocchio and Rapunzel fall in love, but they preyed on each other, and the song is trying to figure out who hurt whom in that relationship. Musically, the instrumentation helped move the story in the song along so beautifully.
The eighth song on this record is called “Our favorite song”. The song opens with a fun little countdown, and then the vocals begin. The song is about a relationship that had come to an end. This character has now become skeptical about love because his own love story never came true. So, with a heavy heart, he was going to hold on to the memories they made and their favorite song. I loved every part of this song. It was lovely, and it is something I will be playing over and over again.
The concluding song is called” Soliloquy”. This song opens with a dreamy melody. The song talks about a person who couldn’t see the pain his partner was in when they were together. By the time he realized it, it was too late, the harm had already been done, and she had already left. This character now holds on to the fact that, now that they are no longer together, she will be free to take care of herself. Musically, the vocal performance was so beautiful and emotive, and the instrumentation was breathtaking. This wonderful song ends the album.
FALS’s poetic style is both funny and melancholy, transforming allergies, petty fights, and cultural debris into bittersweet love reflections. His delivery combines deadpan humor with emotion, finding tenderness in irritations and wit in sorrow. FALS’ songs, whether sung from the kitchen table, the driver’s seat, or a fairy-tale tower, hover between confession and joke — catchy enough to hum, crooked enough to seem real. I love the realness of the songs, and I cannot wait to hear more of his music.
Stream the “Chromatic Scales & Catchy Hooks” album on Spotify.
Follow Fals on his socials: Instagram, TikTok
