For years, we have been blessed with the music of Heartless Bastards. And while the band has largely been a vehicle for the compositions of Erika Wennerstrom, it was the complete package that made the music so much fun to listen to. And with a gorgeous front to sing the songs, with a unique voice, the whole experience was a fine one.
Several years back, the band decided to take a hiatus with no planned return date. This spurred the engine of Heartless Bastards into overdrive, deciding to rightfully jump into the pool of solo waters. As a result, Erika Wennerstrom has journeyed a long, long way to provide a new energy. That energy is found in the stunning new album, Sweet Unknown.
The title is a borrow from a previous lyric (“Could Be So Happy”) and easily provides an apt title for her new venture, a place she hasn’t been to before. And nor have we. But I’m here to tell you, the air is indeed sweet to breathe.
Sweet Unknown has nine new Erika Wennerstrom songs. The music on this new album are rich, professional, and powerful tunes. You get a feel that she is in a zone of her own. And if that’s the case, then I welcome the new face of Heartless Bastards as Erika Wennerstrom, the solo artist.
In an age of a thousand releases a week, it’s important to recognize the better ones. Sweet Unknown, if I may borrow a line, is without question, an album of ‘extraordinary love’. Sweet Unknown is Grammy territory!