Still Waiting by Contardo: A Hidden Gem in Prog Rock
If you’re a fan of rock with brains—or, let’s be real, music that doesn’t just spoon-feed you the same old hooks—Contardo’s Still Waiting is worth your time. Released in 2011 from Sweden (yes, the land of ABBA but also killer prog rock), this album feels like a warm hug from an old friend who happens to be super talented. The band self-released it under their own label, which gives it that raw, unfiltered vibe we love in indie music.
Let’s talk about the lineup because wow, this crew brought their A-game. Marcela Contardo’s lead vocals are the heart of the record—smooth yet powerful, like she’s telling you a story over coffee but somehow makes it epic. Then there’s Christoffer Lundquist, who didn’t just play half the instruments; he recorded, mixed, mastered, and produced the whole thing. Dude deserves a medal or at least a really big pizza.
Now onto the tracks. You’ve got eleven songs here, all solid, but two stuck with me for different reasons. First up, “Blow On The Fire.” It starts off quiet, almost shy, with acoustic guitar strumming gently in the background. But then BAM—it explodes into this rich tapestry of sound. The mix of electric guitar riffs, cello (yep, cello in rock!), and Marcela’s voice creates this cinematic feel. It’s one of those songs where you close your eyes and suddenly you’re standing on a cliff watching the sunset. Cheesy? Maybe. True? Absolutely.
Then there’s “Are You Still Waiting,” the title track. This one hits hard emotionally. It’s slower, more introspective, and lets the lyrics breathe. Ivonne Contardo adds haunting harmonica tones that give it this bluesy edge, while Tomas Erbelius’ violin sneaks in like a whisper. By the end, you’re not sure if you want to cry or grab someone and dance slowly in the dark. Either way, it stays with you long after the last note fades.
The rest of the album keeps the momentum going. Tracks like “Winter” and “Drop Your Gun” show off Henrik Liljequist’s drum wizardry, while Patrik Weiberg proves he can handle everything from mandolin to marching snare without breaking a sweat. And props to Jessica Boswall for the artwork—it’s simple but matches the mood perfectly.
What’s wild about Still Waiting is how human it feels. There’s no pretentiousness, no trying too hard to impress. It’s just good music made by people who clearly love what they do. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I first hit play, but now I can’t stop listening. That’s the magic of albums like this—they sneak up on you when you least expect it.
So yeah, check out Still Waiting. Whether you’re a prog rock diehard or just someone looking for something fresh, this album has something for you. Plus, how often do you get to say you discovered a hidden Swedish gem before everyone else did?
Final thought: If this album was a person, it’d probably bake cookies for its neighbors and still crush at trivia night.
