Holding on to a Dream

Joel Wästberg was initially apprehensive about releasing his own music. The multi-instrumentalist (who goes by the stage name sir Was) played drums for Swedish singer José González before going out on his own. The success of his 2017 debut Digging a Tunnel emboldened him to push his sound further. If Wästberg has any lingering self-doubt, it isn’t apparent on his sophomore album, Holding on to a Dream. The Swedish artist polishes the lo-fi buzz of his debut with a renewed confidence.
The album’s opener “Fly Away” is a reflection on past insecurities, carried by languid drum beats and mystifying synths. “Pin Me Down” is comparably affecting, a poignant monologue about rising above anxiety. Elsewhere, Wästberg recalls a past relationship while showcasing his sonic fluidity on the jazzy “No Giving Up.” He partners with fellow Swede Yukimi Nagano (of Little Dragon) on “Deployed,” an examination of emotional resilience.