Mikhael Paskalev is one of the new favorite pop artists in Norway. In 2012, he released his first EP “Mikhael Paskalev” which received great reviews. This week, his first studio album “What’s Life Without Losers” was released.
Paskalev’s music has roots in the indie genre and alternative Country Rock. He is influenced by Paul Simon, The Shins, Tom Waits, Edward Sharpe and The Everly Brothers.
Paskalev’s songs range from soulful acoustic melodies, to gypsy waltz tunes accompanied by wind instruments. On stage, 23-year old Paskalev and his band ooze with charisma and energy. They have a rare musical quality, and their strength lies in the ability to create melodious tunes, sometimes shamelessly catchy, but never moves beyond a rusty and delightful sound.
Nerve Magazine wrote:
Mikhael Paskalev demonstrates what appears to be a signature element of Red Deer Club’s roster, hushed, uncoiling guitars and close harmony singing. Backed by a five-piece band, the majority of his songs are amazingly spare sounding, with the electric guitar mournfully picking its way through the tracks. ‘I Spy’ proves to be an exception, lurching into a hoe-down midway through complete with Duane Eddy-esque guitar.
The second track, a gently murmured lullaby could easily have been heard crackling out of a wireless in an early episode of Mad Men. Touching almost on gospel music at points, Woman evokes glacial US trio Low, its epically slow pace conveying the full weight of the lyrics’ turmoil. The restraint of the musicians is to be praised as any diversions into Guitar Hero style antics would shatter the carefully spun web of Mikhael’s delicate tracks.
The «I Spy» music video, directed by André Chocron, received great international attention.
Text by: Ester Jepsen, ThorNews
Source and photo: Musikknyheter
thornews.com 
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