For those unaware, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, recording artist and founder of the band Citizen K, Klas Qvist died on July 5th, 2021. When he died suddenly, Klas and his long-time songwriting partner Gudmundur Bragason were busy putting the finishing touches on what was to be the third album by Agony Street, the band they started back in 1990.

Having recorded two classic pop albums, 119 Agony Street (1991) and Songs For William (1993), their third, Italian Whisky was set to be the long-awaited reunion album by Agony Street.

The album was nearly completed but was delayed in the wake of the death of Klas Qvist. Gudmundur did a great job finishing the release and Italian Whisky was finally released on February 3rd, 2023.

1. NEXT DOOR OVERTURE (0:50)
2. THE GIRL NEXT DOOR (3:16)
3. ALL THOSE GOLDEN YEARS AGO (SONG FOR ANKI) (3:40)
4. YOU TURN ME OFF (Album Version Stereo) (2:26)
5. ITALIAN WHISKY (3:05)
6. YOU ARE GWENDOLYN (2:58)
7. SAVE 20 MINUTES (3:22)
8. AFTER APPROXIMATELY SEVEN GLASSES OF ITALIAN WHISKY (1:02)
9. LETTER FROM HELL (3:27)
10. NEXT DOOR TO A LOONEY (3:10)
11. TIME TO GO HOME (3:09)
12. MOM’S STREET (3:32)
13. GLOBAL CITY (NOTHING IS EVERYTHING) (2:59)
14. UTOPIA (5:15)

This thoroughly enjoyable new recording, and one I’m sure that Klas himself would loved to have seen come fully to fruition before his passing, opens on the short, but sweet, NEXT DOOR OVERTURE and the gently rambunctious THE GIRL NEXT DOOR, and then continues onward with the drum-led swoon within ALL THOSE GOLDEN YEARS AGO (SONG FOR ANKI), the joyously 60s-esque pop-bounce of YOU TURN ME OFF (Album Version Stereo), before we are lovingly brought forth the Renaissance-hued ITALIAN WHISKY, the strident Baroque pop fare of YOU ARE GWENDOLYN and the melodically-structured SAVE 20 MINUTES.

Along next is the flashback, Italian-embedded drinking chant within AFTER APPROXIMATELY SEVEN GLASSES OF ITALIAN WHISKY and then comes one of my own personal favorites on this new album, the free flowing pop-rock of LETTER FROM HELL, and that is in turn backed by the lyrically-fun NEXT DOOR TO A LOONEY, the arioso rock of TIME TO GO HOME, the lighter fare of MOM’S STREET, the album rounding out on the beautifully sculpted GLOBAL CITY (NOTHING IS EVERYTHING), closing, one assumes, with the tongue in cheek, mirthful UTOPIA; given that it includes shout-outs to historical names such as both Papa Joseph from the U.S.S.R. and Uncle Walter, from good old East Germany.

A profound consolation prize for fans of Agony Street and Klas Qvist’s work in Citizen K, Italian Whisky is state of the art 21st century psychedelic pop/rock and is an absolute retro-pop classic.

The sound of his electric harpsichord is especially evident on a number of tracks. Other guests include Jonas Nordin, who worked with the band before Klas died and was a valuable person in the final release. Also appearing are Klas’ girlfriend, singer Annika Larsen and Gudmundur’s wife Anki. Agony Street takes the pop music world by storm on their third and, sadly, final album.

In short, Italian Whisky is a modern-day musical delight not to be missed!

Agony Street @ YouTube