Tholl, Joseph: It Might Be Art

Swedish multi-instrumentalist Joseph Tholl is getting set to release his second solo album titled It Might Be Art. In SoT circles I’d imagine he is best introduced as a founding member the speed metal band Enforcer (eventually leaving in 2019), and as a guitar player in Tribulation. His solo albums allow him to explore different areas of his musical creativity. It Might Be Art is the follow up to 2019’s Devil’s Drum, with both albums being released via High Roller Records.

I usually expect a nostalgic ‘new of traditional heavy metal’ sound when I’m assigned a new album on High Roller, even more so when you see the band Enforcer noted in the press release, but this album is something entirely different. It Might Be Art is melodic, overdriven indi/pop rock with big vocal hooks, set to tight and creative arrangements. I don’t typically listen to this sort of style much at all, but I have enjoyed getting to know this release. I liken it to the sort of stuff that becomes a guilty pleasure in the rare times I’m listening to commercial radio. Vocally I draw comparisons in style to indi pop rock acts like Vance Joy. Arrangement wise I enjoy the layering of parts and the organic tones, I’m also regularly finding myself appreciating the creativity of the various bridge sections or interludes. Bands such as Sisters Of Mercy, The Cure, New Model Army and Midnight Oil are noted to be influences on his solo work, and I hear shades of them littered throughout the album, no doubt. As a listener who isn’t usually listening to full albums of indi/pop/melodic rock, I like how they’ve approached sequencing the mix of saccharine sweet up-tempo tracks and more melancholic numbers. The track listing is well-considered, taking you on a journey of moods, and sheltering you from listening fatigue from the pop or moody elements. For SoT fans, I’d also make mention of the fact that a lot of the tracks start with some really rocking guitar riffs, which helps bridge the genre gap for someone like me who spends a lot of his listening time playing through metal albums.

Whilst indi rock is not a style I typically reach for, it’s very hard to be critical of It Might be Art. It’s a really well put together album that is worth checking out if a good vocal hook is something you enjoy.

Track Listing
1. New Dawn
2. Oh the Madness
3. I'm in a Darkness
4. Invocation of the Evening Star
5. Walking
6. It Might be Art
7. I Syrenens Tid
8. Rebirth
9. On Velvet Waves
10. The Burial

Added: May 15th 2026
Reviewer: Chris Reid
Score:
Related Link: Joseph Tholl on facebook
Hits: 127
Language: english

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