While other female Scandinavian artists such as Hanne Huckleburg, Lykki Li and Bjork create the kind of idiosyncratic music that has everyone scratching their heads in confusion, refreshingly Swedish singer-songwriter Frida Hyvönen’s writes mainstream pop that is straightforward in its execution and a joy to listen to.

With its piano-led confessional songs, her second album Silence Is Wild sounds like it could easily have been released in the early 70s, standing alongside the work of Carole King or Joni Mitchell. ‘Dirty Dancing’ is a flawless opener about childhood sweethearts that name checks the aforementioned movie, Kylie and chimney sweeps. “And our real names were Frida and Jimmy”, Hyvonen admits in the track’s last line, bringing a sudden clarity to the personal tale.

The clever stereotype-bashing ‘Scandinavian Blonde’ continues the autobiographical theme, while the plaintive ‘December’ is a simple ditty about a very serious subject. Luxurious, honest, often very witty - a true artist at work.

Ian Sinclair