tAKiDA – A Perfect World (2016)

Swedes tAKIDA already have been featured on this blog, now the 5-piece are back with a new album titled “A Perfect World” These guys play Modern Rock but what turned interesting to me about their music is the inclusion of strong Melodic Rock sense into their performances and songwriting style.

With a seventeen year history the group has had plenty of time to polish their sheen and develop a distinct voice. Working with American producer Ryan Star they sound like they’re not holding anything back. Diving fully into richly hued melodies and thoughtful lyrics through passionate, unrestrained performances.
To their modern sound with a poppy structure, tAKIDA adds a lot of melody, some distorted guitars and an overall feel-good factor.

So when a song like the effervescent “Flowerchild (The Beauty Of Stray)” flows forth it impacts unlike almost anything heard on the radio anymore. A positive rocker with a sweet chorus.
Slower tracks like “I’ll Find My Way Home” and “Don’t Forget About Me” dig in and hold on with killer ear-worm choruses and infinitely hummable hooks, while punchier cuts like “Wild Eyes”, “Better”, and “Skid Row” strike out with a self-assured edge behind almost overwhelming faith and hope.
Then the slightly progressive touch of “My Dove” contrasts nicely with sparse piano closer “High”.

tAKIDA keep things simple; despite the polished output, they make clear that real music still comes down to the raw emotion, the commitment to song and the talent of the performers – not the volume played, the flashiness of the players, or the dizziness of the production.
So, no wonder that “A Perfect World” debuted at the #1 spot of the Swedish official album charts and I’m pretty sure this could be tAKIDA’s international break-through record.

If you are interested in breaking away from the typical Melodic Rock / AOR sounds featured here on this blog and listen to something slightly different, this album would be an interesting choice.
tAKIDA is modern rock, yet inspired by ’80s power pop / melodic rock, it’s always effective and quite catchy most the time.

01 – Don’t Wait Up
02 – Flowerchild (The Beauty Of Stray)
03 – I’ll Find My Way Home
04 – Skid Row
05 – Better
06 – Don’t Forget About Me
07 – All Your Life (Haven Stay Part 2)
08 – My Dove
09 – Wild Eyes
10 – Run To The Water
11 – High

Robert Pettersson – Vocals
Chris Rehn – Bass, Keyboards
Tomas Wallin – Guitar
Mattias Larsson – Guitar
Kristoffer Söderström – Drums

BUY IT !
cdon.eu/music/takida/a_perfect_world_(digipak)-37009601
amazon.com/Perfect-World-Takida/dp/B01L7JFIW2
.