The newest release from The Tallest Man On Earth, led by Swedish musician Kristian Matsson, is Too Late For Edelweiss - a collection of captivating covers now available on ANTI. Matsson recorded these songs at his home in Sweden and in North Carolina, shortly after completing a successful 39-date tour. These songs have been a part of Matsson's repertoire since the beginning of his musical career, including early performances of Hank Williams' "Lost Highway" when he was still developing his own original material.
In July 2022, Matsson debuted a rendition of "For sent for Edelweiss," originally by Swedish artist Hakan Hellstrom. This cherished tune has long been The Tallest Man's go-to introduction before every show, and it served as the inspiration for his latest covers project. Ahead of the announcement, he quietly released several other covers, including "Metal Firecracker" by Lucinda Williams and "Tears Are In Your Eyes" by Yo La Tengo. Now, Matsson has added a cover of "Lost Highway" by Hank Williams, whom he first discovered as a teenager borrowing records from the local library. The song has continued to resonate with him, even influencing his vocal warm-ups before performances.
This album is more than just a scrapbook; it's an intimate memento filled with the ghosts of The Tallest Man's earlier, sparser sound. But it's also a snapshot of a moment - a burst of joy, of feeling reinvigorated, of feeling alive. These are the songs that were running through Matsson's mind when he sat down to record, coming together effortlessly and in a pure expression of making music. As a fellow fan of his work, this record speaks to the deep connections and stories that make up a songwriter's life.
2: Metal Firecracker
3: Little Birdie
4: Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye
5: Blood Bank
6: Tears Are in Your Eyes
7: Fairest of the Seasons
8: Pink Rabbits
9: Lost Highway
10: In My Life
