Band of Pockets is a highly collaborative collective featuring musicians from the USA, South Africa, Argentina, and Sweden. Formed in 2020 and led by Swedish guitarist J. Nilsson, who works closely with singer Yona Marie from Washington, the group has released over 25 songs since its start. The musicians, Johan and Yona, communicate via e-mail and send files and recordings back and forth. Finally, Johan puts it all together. He’s both an arranger and producer.
Pressing play on Band of Pockets’s new single “Always Love” is equivalent to finally making out what that oddly shaped cloud reminds you of. There is a childlike joy that gets spun into mature, retro soul-funk with a positive outlook. It is always refreshing to hear music with such bright tones and soaring melodies, and “Always Love” contains all of that and more. Marie lays down a stunning display of her range by delivering a soulful performance with lush backing vocals to add an ethereal feel to this feel-good record. Nilsson’s production work dips into the sentimental side at moments, but the producer is a master of tone. The arrangement never ceases to continue growing, creating an improvisational feel that is still honed. Band of Pockets move as one, and their chemistry is magnified and mesmerizing on “Always Love.”
“‘Always Love’ is about that unconditional love we all deserve. Someone at home longing for us to arrive back home, and there it is: always love when you come back home,” explains the band. “And don’t you just love a great saxophone solo…”
