Before You Go was recorded in January 2022 in LP Studion, Malmö, Sweden, and released in August 2022 on the independent label AKL music. It consists of 8 tracks which are mixed and mastered by Christoffer Wallin. 

The album was voted in the top 10 albums of 2022 by the Swedish Jazz magazine ”Orkesterjournalen”. 

Album review ”Before You Go” – Orkesterjournalen September 2022
By Mats Hallberg

 “ Alicia Lindberg and her Skåne-based musicians have already made an impressive leap by producing their debut album. The album consists of eight tracks, five of which were composed by the singer herself. One of the tracks stands out by being performed in Swedish: the bittersweet Inne hos mig, which carries a 60s vibe similar to Amanda Ginsburg’s work. Original to the core, Lindberg also wrote her own lyrics to a melody by Duke Ellington. 

This debut work from an experimental vocalist is characterized by unique emphasis and generously flowing scat, especially in the first three tracks. Having heard most of the material live, the album presents a fresh perspective, showcasing the rich sound that the accompanying musicians provide for the pitch-perfect vocalist, achieved seamlessly. Their interplay is remarkable, and they shine during the instrumental sections in tracks like League and the evergreen The Nearness of You. Special praise goes to the bass feature by Hilda Nordkvist, Ebba Dankel’s piano playing in the same track (If We Fall), and Mattias Nyman’s subtle drumming.

In the track League, the piano, drums, and saxophone engage in an intimate and close dialogue. The vocal phrasing is complex and dynamic, enhancing the depth of the album. Lindberg’s work embraces offbeat rhythms and wide-ranging notes, which adds a distinctive and creative flair. Her decisive talent and ability to craft captivating music are clearly evident throughout this debut.”

Album review ”Before You Go” – LIRA – September 2022

“The new Swedish jazz singer Alicia Lindberg makes her album debut with Before You Go. The album features mostly English-language songs, with a Swedish track as well. She also embraces wordless vocalizations, which play an equally important role as the lyrics. The majority of the album consists of original material, mixed with jazz discoveries.

It seems that Lindberg is exploring her different artistic directions, both for herself and her listeners. Should she write her songs in English or Swedish? She has previously released a Swedish single, För liten för att vara stor, and the new Swedish track on the album, Inne hos mig, reinforces the sense of closeness that I appreciated in that earlier work.

When singing in Swedish, there’s a deeper sense of intimacy. The personal touch is also evident when singing in English, as in the quiet and beautiful ballad Staring into White Walls. But there’s something particularly striking about the Swedish lyrics and how they connect with her unique expression.

In her interpretations of other composers, such as Duke Ellington’s If We Fall (Mount Harissa), which Lindberg has adapted with English lyrics, Hoagy Carmichael’s The Nearness of You, and Thursday’s Child (an older jazz song, not the David Bowie one), Lindberg brings a fresh and distinct musical perspective.

Scat singing, a form she incorporates into her performances, seems to be her way of delving into jazz, emotions, and experience. It’s a unique, modern approach to the vocal tradition. I’m particularly captivated by Lindberg’s wordless singing.

Lindberg is a multifaceted jazz vocalist with a promising debut. I also appreciate how the musicians (Ebba Dankel and Elias Larsson, who alternate on piano, Eskil Larsson on tenor saxophone, Hilda Nordkvist on double bass, and Mattias Nyman on drums) play alongside the vocals rather than just accompanying. Pianist Ebba Dankel’s distinctive right-hand phrasing stood out, making me listen even more intently.”