PERFECT PLAN – Heart Of A Lion (2025) *HQ* FIXED

Swedish melodic rock powerhouse PERFECT PLAN are ready to release their new effort “Heart Of A Lion“, with songs marking their triumphant return to their signature AOR sound, produced in collaboration with Mårten Eriksson.
With their previous album PERFECT PLAN wanted to discover a new heavier and ‘in your face’ sound but on this 2025 CD they are back to the style of the first 2 albums, with more keyboards and bigger sound taking you back to the 80s with a modern touch and feel.
The anthemic track ‘Heart Of A Lion’ draws inspiration from Swedish football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, celebrating his remarkable journey and indomitable spirit.
This is simply one of the best melodic rock / AOR platter you’ll hear this year, no doubt about it.

The album opens with the title track ‘Heart Of A Lion’, beginning with Leif Ehlin’s keys and a chugging Nordström riff before Kent Hilli’s powerful vocal joins the mix. The controlled and even pace has the head nodding, the sound is rich and full with harmonized backing vocals, the guitar solo is crystal clear and joins the verses seamlessly. Perfect Plan have just laid all their cards on the table straight away, and it’s looking like a winning hand.

We ease into the classic AOR sound with ‘Too Tough’, the pace is quicker driven by Fredrik Forsberg’s beat and Nordström punchy guitar. Hilli’s soaring vocal whisks the listener along, the effects pedals for the guitar solo give it a clever high and low layered sound.
‘We Are Heroes’ is the first single to be released from the album, the ‘Boys of Summer’-esque intro piques the interest. On this midtempo tune Hilli narrates the lyrics, as the pace gathers momentum his vocal starts to soar as the rhythm section bring the power. When played live, this will get the arms waving. A song about the good we everyday humans do for each other and ourselves, during the challenges of daily life.

The punchy clipped riffs return for ‘All Night’, Ehlin’s keyboards and Hilli’s vocal give the track a mid 80s Whitesnake feel. The production is of the highest order. Mats Byström bass and Forsberg’s drums play a strong supportive part, but the focal point is Hilli’s faultless singing.
An intriguing ticking clock sound starts ‘Ready To Break’, the pace is back, as is the party bounce. The blend of harmonies and short guitar breaks combine well filling the room with sound.
Ehlin’s piano and Hilli’s spoken lyrics start ‘My Unsung Hero’. It’s a classic heartfelt ballad, that oozes emotion. Hilli’s is controlling the pace, the band reflective and supportive.

‘Turn Up Your Radio’ reminds us those summer sounds that we’re missing at this time of year. It gives us something to look forward to. A track full of bounce and fun, a time for cruising and enjoyment. The feel-good sound initiates a warm glow throughout.
Perfect Plan bring in some bluesy swagger with ‘Lady Mysterious’. It’s quick and hard, thumping beats and crunching riffs duelling with Hilli’s driven lyrics. Any track that includes the line “She’s a ball-breaker” has heaps of attitude, a switch to a dirty blues vibe demonstrating the talent within the band.

The AOR sound returns with ‘One Touch’, neat guitar riffs with a base layer of distinct keys and Hilli’s vocal riding on top. A power riff is emphasizing the title vocal as the tempo rises and falls carrying the listener on their journey through, this is a strong radio track. Forsberg’s drums introduce ‘Danger On The Loose’, a slower and hard-hitting track, a mix of tempo’s as Hilli’s vocal is quicker than the musical accompaniment, the difference works well. The strut is back, with this arena anthem.
The album closes with the album’s shortest track ‘At Your Stone’, a racing rhythm and passionate lyrics with a sound that wouldn’t be out of place on ‘Saints and Sinners’ or ‘Slide It In’. It’s an over-indulgent and respectful nod to the era, and is a fine way to end the album.

The subtle textures and razor-sharp production that are such an important element in AOR are top drawer on ‘Heart Of A Lion’. There is no denying that Perfect Plan are paying tribute to the obvious classics, with references to the sounds of Survivor, Foreigner, Whitesnake and compatriots Europe, however, this album incorporates a sound that is very much their own, and is a classic in the making.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Heart Of A Lion
02 – We Are Heroes
03 – All Night
04 – Turn Up Your Radio
05 – My Unsung Hero
06 – Ready To Break
07 – Too Tough
08 – Lady Mysterious
09 – One Touch
10 – Danger On The Loose
11 – At Your Stone

Kent Hilli (Lead Vocals)
Leif Ehlin (Keyboards)
Rolf Nordström (Guitar)
Mats Byström (Bass)
Fredrik Forsberg (Drums)

Pre order:
www.amazon.co.uk/HEART-LION-PERFECT-PLAN/dp/B0DP7ZJYPX