Emmalisa Hallander is gaining quite a name for herself within the Swedish jazz scene, and there’s a strong impression that her sights are set on acclaim further afield, too. Only in her twenties, this vocalist has already debuted an album with national label Varva Records, been named 2023’s ‘Breakthrough Act of the Year’ by the Swedish music magazine Lira and been awarded multiple scholarships. Oh, and she also toured Japan last spring. 

To keep pace with her up-and-coming trajectory, Hallander now releases her follow-up album to her debut Have a Look Inside. Much like the first album there is a collection of original songs, though here she hones in on sounds of vocal jazz in the mid-twentieth century. Hallander makes a point of thematically linking the songs through the common thread of “longing”, and it’s interesting to hear the different manifestations of this theme across the tracklist. The idea of “longing for love” is certainly a classic take that Hallander doesn't neglect to cover, but the spectrum ranges from a singer (fully in the knowledge that their job description can’t exactly compete with that of a doctor or a priest) yearning for an audience, to pining for sunny beaches and cocktails. Even the title, Out of Reach, reinforces this sense of wishfulness, and certainly makes Hallander’s thematic intention clear from the get-go.

When it comes down to the musical execution of these compositions, Hallander certainly hasn’t been lazy with the orchestrations. Across the album the scoring is intricate and nostalgic with plenty of detail, and features the fine talents of Filip Ekestubbe on piano, Niklas Fernqvist on bass and Henrik Jäderberg on drums, as well as guest players trumpeter Peter Asplund and saxophonist Per "Texas" Johansson. Although the skills of each player are firmly present, the orchestrations still leave room for Hallander’s light and winsome vocals to take centre stage. The first track ‘At The End of The Tunnel’ is full of romantic strings and chromatic lilts whilst Hallander gives glimpses of her scat singing – a technique she not only features on the album, but one that has also earned her significant praise from listeners in the past. In fact, the very next track, ‘I’ll String Along With You,’ features technical and nuanced scat solos from Hallander and a delightful muted trumpet solo from Peter Asplund.  

‘Before You’ begins as a fairly exposed vocal, with only soft backing from her ensemble. Hallander really allows this one to grow, her vocals capturing the vulnerability and joys of experiencing first love before building to Asplund’s soaring trumpet solo. ‘A Singer’s Dilemma’ has a wonderful blues-y feel to it, and features the talented playing of saxophonist Johansson, who takes a lengthy and expressive solo. Victor Young’s ‘Street of Dreams’ closes the album and is the only song not composed by Hallander herself. It’s a lovely finishing number. Hallander keeps the tone clear and open, taking care to try and capture all the nuance that the lyrics give scope for. 

Primarily, Out of Reach is an album going for nostalgia and character, which it does remarkably well. It serves as a strong statement from an emerging voice, and one who perhaps has her eye on a horizon that extends beyond her own national jazz scene. A delectable mix of past and present, Out of Reach is the perfect listen for those wanting to revisit golden sounds of the past, whilst also exploring the delightful talents of a fresh voice of jazz today.   

Maddy Allison

from www.prestomusic.com