Photo by odaa
David Åhlén
David Åhlén is a Swedish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based on the Swedish island of Gotland. David’s forthcoming new EP is entitled My Face Will Shine, due for release on 15 th May. The EP features the singles Breathe, released on 1 st May 2020 and If I Have You released 17 th April 2020. The EP was produced in collaboration between David and Swedish producer Manne von Ahn Öberg, who is known for his former labels Atrium (Warner Music Sweden), JazzBeat, PublishMent and his work with artists such as Stina Nordenstam and Nicolai Dunger. David’s previous releases include the acclaimed album Hidden Light from 2016.
Having previously lived in the bustle of Stockholm, David retreated to the island community of Gotland and with the space and skies of island existence he took time to start studying mystical Judeo-Christian texts, and to take on board the space and peace of the work of musical mystics such as Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. As was the case with the singles If I Have You and Breathe, the EP as a whole has been inspired by Biblical scripture and David’s deep personal faith. These plaintive themes of devotion are expressed through David’s yearning falsetto and the lush, choral chamber arrangements that call to mind artists such as Anthony and The Johnsons and Sigur Rós as well as the cinematic expansiveness and instrumental inventiveness of composers such as Jóhann Jóhansson. Liturgically inspired music that is eternally relevant, exploring the majesty and wonder of creation.
David’s previous releases have found international acclaim, with glowing reviews and radio play all over the world, his previous duo 1921 toured extensively and supported luminaries such as Peter Broderick, SOHN and Loney Dear.
My Face Will Shine
Music and lyrics by David Åhlén. Produced, mixed and mastered by Manne von Ahn Öberg. Recorded at White Chapel Studio, Jävrebyn, additional recordings in various studios in Reykjavík, Stockholm and Visby. Boys’ choir recorded by Andreas Sandlund and David Åhlén at Stenkumla prästgård. Choir arrangements by Krister Hansén. String arrangements by Lisa Rydberg (on track 1, 2 & 4) by Krister Hansén (on track 3)
Performed by David Åhlén: lead vocals, electric baritone/guitar, piano, synth, sounds. Musicians: Kenneth Berg: drums, Lisa Rydberg: violin, viola, Mikael Lindblad Ehnborg: synth, Lárus Sigurdsson, harp.
Additional vocals: Gustaf Spetz, Miguel Robaina, Ellen Vingren
Boys’ choir: Gustaf Spetz, Miguel Robaina, Samuel Kåring, Levi Åhlén, Jona Åhlén, Elias Grahn, Albin Karlsson, Malte Rödland, Moltas Svensson Sandell
Cover artwork by Ann Holmgren
Video artwork by Gustaf Järver
My Face Will Shine, EP
Release date: May 15, 2020
»Using lush choral chamber arrangements, a disarmingly gorgeous falsetto and gentle ebbs and flows of music, he creates powerful yet understated liturgically inspired music. « Dancing about architecture
»Without sounding too much like any one of them, his music shares certain qualities with Arvo Pärt's, Jóhann Jóhansson's, and Sigur Rós's. (…) Åhlén's inimitable voice naturally illuminates each song« Textura
»delicate and fragile vocals, the ethereal ambient lines and the sublime strings textures.« SonOfMarketing
»I love the music of David Åhlén. There is nothing more calming than his compositions.« East Portland Blog
»All of his music is quietly spiritual (…)‘If I have you’ has a power to it that demands everything be still, and is particularly appropriate perhaps for these strange times when we all have a little more time to think about the true value of the things around us.« Nordic Music Review
»A beatific longing of hymnal beauty, the brand new whispery veiled single from the hushed falsetto Swede David Åhlén is a most reverent ethereal plaint from the spiritual soul.« Monolith Cocktail
»Åhléns musik är precis som tidigare eterisk och sublim. Gosskörer och stråkar ihop med falsettsång och religiöst bildspråk ger en närmast sakral upplevelse.« Hymn