Chrissie Hynde, Stockholm.
At the tender age of 62 Chrissie Hynde has finally released a solo album, and the wait has been worth it. The sassy, swaggering style that she always inhabited with The Pretenders remains, with Hynde co-writing all the material, and you sense that she's made Stockholm a very personal statement.
After 36 years as the face and voice of The Pretenders, Chrissie Hynde decided it was time that she was literally at the forefront of her music. Hynde managed to lasso in a couple of big-name mates to contribute, including Neil Young playing guitar to Down the Wrong Way, while a guy who usually sports a tennis racquet rather than a guitar lends a hand as well. Yes, John McEnroe.
Choosing favourites on Stockholm isn't easy, as a number of the songs resonate in a special way each time I listen. But check out You or No One, Dark Sunglasses, Like in the Movies, the Neil Young track and a more wistful approach on Adding the Blue. Hynde's trademark attitude and forthrightness shine through and make you wonder why it took all this time to nail a solo record.
