| Stockholm | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 10, 2014 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | Power pop [2] | |||
| Length | 37:50 | |||
| Label |
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| Producer | ||||
| Chrissie Hynde chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Stockholm | ||||
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Stockholm is the debut solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Chrissie Hynde, lead singer of the Pretenders. It was released on June 10, 2014, by Will Travel and Caroline Records. It features guest appearances from Canadian musician Neil Young and former tennis player John McEnroe. [3]
In a news release, Hynde said she doesn't think of Stockholm as a solo album, stating, "It's the first album with my name on it, but it's not a solo album. In fact, making this album was more of a collaboration than any Pretenders album ever was." [1]
The album's lead single, "Dark Sunglasses", was released on April 1, 2014, and simultaneously announced the upcoming album. [4]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 64/100 [5] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [6] |
| Consequence | C [7] |
| The Guardian | [8] |
| MusicOMH | [9] |
| NME | [10] |
| The Observer | [11] |
| Paste | 8.5/10 [12] |
| Pitchfork | 5.8/10 [13] |
| PopMatters | 5/10 [14] |
| Rolling Stone | [15] |
Stockholm received mixed to positive reviews. According to the review aggregator Metacritic , Stockholm received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 64 out of 100 from 18 critic scores. [5]
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic said, "As it is a Chrissie Hynde project, it is a little inconsistent, sometimes sagging on ballads or dragging its feet at mid-tempos, but there are several strong additions to her canon and the overall feel is appealing and, thanks to her unexpected collaborator, fresher than expected." [6] Dave Simpson of The Guardian said, "Not all the tracks hit the spot, and some of her edge has been dulled by studio sheen, but the album is bookended by two songs from her top drawer." [8] T. Cole Rachel of Pitchfork said, "As a distilled 5-song EP, Stockholm might have served as a refreshing slap in the face—a potent reminder of what a vibrant jolt of lightning Chrissie Hynde can be—but instead, it's a rather wan listen." [13] Nick Catucci of Rolling Stone said, "On her delicate and sexy solo debut – actually a joint effort with new writing partner Björn Yttling of Peter Bjorn and John, plus guests including Neil Young and, oddly, tennis great John McEnroe – she does decompress: 'In a Miracle' sounds like Aimee Mann after a warm bath. But Hynde can still flash her blade." [15]
Steve Morse of the Boston Globe said, "She has her rock credibility to lose—and it's in tatters after some of the mediocre material here." [16] Len Comaratta of Consequence said, "At its best, Stockholm is a solid and grounded album that speaks to Hynde's strengths; at its worst, to crib a song title from the last group photo session, it's a tad 'Middle of the Road'." [7] Andy Gill of The Independent said, "The main failing lies in the lack of distinction of the material, and the lack of excitement in its execution: the only time the album teeters on thrilling is when Neil Young's Les Paul disturbs the peace of 'Down the Wrong Way'." [17] John Murphy of MusicOMH said, "It doesn't have the timeless quality of her classic material, but it's good to have her back nonetheless." [9] Rhian Daly of NME said, "Like the syndrome named after the titular city, you'll fall for these tunes with repeated exposure, but you'll live without them once you're free from them too." [10] Ally Carnwath of The Observer said, "Co-writer Björn Yttling brings some extra zip to the mid-tempo power pop, but you're still left wishing for something a little more revealing and bold." [11] Holly Gleason of Paste said, "Stockholm, produced by Peter Bjorn and John's Bjorn Yttling, has the cutting lyrical tilt and raw agony that defined the Pretender, but its sheen beckons listeners." [12] John Paul of PopMatters said, "All in all, very little on Stockholm stands out, despite the best attempts by all involved." [14]
All tracks are written by Chrissie Hynde and Björn Yttling, except "Like in the Movies" and "Adding the Blue" by Hynde and Joakim Åhlund.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "You or No One" | 3:40 |
| 2. | "Dark Sunglasses" | 3:05 |
| 3. | "Like in the Movies" | 3:16 |
| 4. | "Down the Wrong Way" | 3:37 |
| 5. | "You're the One" | 2:50 |
| 6. | "A Plan Too Far" | 3:13 |
| 7. | "In a Miracle" | 3:59 |
| 8. | "House of Cards" | 3:51 |
| 9. | "Tourniquet (Cynthia Ann)" | 2:41 |
| 10. | "Sweet Nuthin'" | 3:00 |
| 11. | "Adding the Blue" | 4:38 |
Adapted from the album's liner notes. [18]
| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Hitseekers Albums (ARIA) [19] | 3 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [20] | 51 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [21] | 56 |
| Croatian International Albums (HDU) [22] | 20 |
| French Albums (SNEP) [23] | 120 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [24] | 83 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC) [25] | 21 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [26] | 43 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [27] | 73 |
| UK Albums (OCC) [28] | 22 |
| US Billboard 200 [29] | 36 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard) [30] | 8 |
| US Indie Store Album Sales (Billboard) [31] | 7 |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [32] | 14 |
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