Melodies Find Their Breath: Hans Hjelm Returns with "The Night Electronic." New Single Streaming!

Stockholm-based musician Hans Hjelm is set to release his third solo album, The Night Electronic, via the Kungens Ljud & Bild label on May 29th. Today Hans Hjelm revealed the first single from the album titled Aftersun, it features Swedish singer Hildur Ottilia.

The Night Electronic marks a decisive stylistic shift from his previous instrumental work toward a vocal-driven, electronic-oriented sound.

The album consists of reimagined tracks from Hjelm’s earlier discography: five songs from Into The Night (the CD also has two bonus tracks from the debut album Factory Reset). Hjelm’s melodies were always written as if they could be sung, avoiding traditional guitar mannerisms in favor of human phrasing. On The Night Electronic, those melodies finally find their breath. The addition of vocalists Hildur Ottilia and Viktor Westerlund grounds the dreamlike uncertainty of the music in human experience.

Listen stream: https://hanshjelm.bandcamp.com/track/aftersun-2

Produced in collaboration with Henrik Sunbring (oplen, Domus) at Helter Skelter Studio, the album’s production leans heavily on programmed drums, drum loops, synth bass, and analog synthesizers. While some prog-rock elements from previous releases remain, this electronic foundation largely replaces the guitar-centric layering found in Hjelm’s earlier solo work.

The album is bookended by Mantra and Artnam (“mantra” reversed) - a linguistic and sonic mirror. While Mantra serves as the rhythmic key that opens the door to this nightly world, Artnam closes it with backward-masked vocals and shifting drones, suggesting a reality where time and logic operate differently.

Recorded between 2023 and 2025, the album features contributions from a recurring group of collaborators, including Jesper Skarin (Gösta Berlings Saga, ex-Switch Opens), Mikael Tuominen (Kungens Män, ex-Switch Opens), and Per Wiberg (Switchblade, ex-Opeth).

Hans Hjelm's new album The Night Electronic will be out May 29th on Kungens Ljud & Bild and is available for pre-order here: https://hanshjelm.bandcamp.com/album/the-night-electronic

The new single Aftersun, featuring Hildur Ottilia can be streamed on Spotify here, or via Bandcamp here: https://hanshjelm.bandcamp.com/track/aftersun-2

Tracklist

1. Mantra

2. I Feel Like Fire

3. Aftersun

4. Shores

5. Artnam

6. Woods

7. Lights Turn Red