(PR) Brighton-based singer Astrid Williamson returns with Here Come The Vikings, due June 2 on One Little Indian U.K. This marks the fourth solo outing for Williamson, whom The Guardian says "oozes songwriting class." "Shut Your Mouth," the first single off Here Come the Vikings, is the #1 most added song on the Triple A Radio charts this week.Here Come The Vikings is a 10-song collection that veers across rock and pop. Departing from her previous, softer solo sets that Maxim called "a deep, bewitching brew," this new album has its foundations in the electric guitar. "Every album I've made has tended to fall outside of current musical trends," explains Williamson. "I was losing 10 BPM every album, so I thought I'd plug in and sort things out."
Williamson, a multi-instrumentalist and classically trained pianist, writes, produces and arranges everything she records. Here Come The Vikings features longtime collaborators Richard Yale on bass, Christian Parsons on drums, Mark Treffel on keyboards and the new addition of guitarist Steven Parker. Guest appearances include Nick Powell from Oskar, Belle and Sebastian cellist Sarah Wilson and trumpeter Guy Barker, who has played with Frank Sinatra and Nile Rogers.
Hailing from the remote Shetland Islands, Williamson has a built a career as a musician, vocalist and songwriter. Her tenure with respected indie trio Goya Dress resulted in the release of the acclaimed Rooms, produced by Velvet Underground's John Cale. Her subsequent solo albums1998's Boy For You, 2003's Astrid Williamson and 2006's Day of the Lone Wolfearned her critical praise with Music Week calling her "a refreshing revelation." Additionally she has lent her vocals to several hit songs by Johnny Marr's band Electronic and collaborated with 4AD founder Ivo Watts-Russell, lending her vocals to The Hope Blister.
