Of course the comparisons of Hajen’s music to that of Regina Spektor, Tori Amos, Laleh and nearly any other piano based songstress are apt. And I’m sure those are fair comparisons. But they’re just a jumping off point in this instance. Everyone’s DNA is so slightly different. So, like there are no two identical snowflakes, there are also no two identical singers. On the song “Scapegoat” there is a certain something in the way Hajen’s voice fluctuates and soars, something about her turns of phrase (”put down that shield”) and a certain something special when she growls out her lyrics that separates and elevates her from the pack.
However, it’ll probably be difficult for Hajen to break though all the clutter. She doesn’t have the big, dance beats of Lykke Li (and the incessant remixes, multiple videos and constant barrage of press) or the publicity machine of Robyn or even the big US label push behind someone like Frida Hyvönen. But from her three songs on her MySpace page and especially from her biting and bitter song “Scapegoat” Hajen deserves all the success these other Swedish imports have received.
Hajen is one of the four artists on the extremely promising upstart label called Knoppar.
Hajen will be performing this weekend at the Rookie 08 put on by RockParty in Hultsfred.
