Review VELVETEEN QUEEN “The Greater Good”

Velveteen Queen are still a relatively young band, but the five Swedes are already making a pretty convincing case for themselves. Their second album, The Greater Good, has just arrived, and there is plenty to enjoy once the first notes hit the speakers.

The Gothenburg-based quintet delivers hard rock with a strong connection to the ’80s, yet The Greater Good never feels like a band simply trying to recreate the glory days. Velveteen Queen take the attitude, energy, and feel of that era and bring those ingredients into the present without turning the whole thing into a trip down memory lane.

That approach is evident right from the opening track, “Too Far Gone.” It is an energetic rocker that packs some punch while still putting melody front and center. The title track follows with a darker, piano-led opening before a driving beat kicks in and pushes the song forward. The first time I heard it, The Black Crowes immediately came to mind. Lyrically, the song deals with apathy and deception in the modern world, essentially serving as a call to action. It also makes one thing clear: Velveteen Queen are not here just to sing about booze and partying. There is some substance behind the attitude.

With “Adrenaline,” the guys from Gothenburg reveal a few shades of Aerosmith without losing their own identity. The song lives up to its title, delivering the kind of restless energy that feels like a shot of adrenaline straight into the bloodstream.

Next up is the muscular “Can’t Go Back in Time,” one of the heavier cuts on the record. It carries a slightly darker mood and takes a little time to fully reveal its charms. Give it a moment, though, and the track starts to sink its hooks in.

Anyone missing some acoustic guitar so far will get their fix with “Chains.” Every hard rock album needs its ballad, and Velveteen Queen handle the assignment without falling headfirst into the usual clichés. “Chains” manages to break free from the standard formula, balancing a more intimate mood with the band’s natural rock attitude.

After showing their softer side on “Chains,” the five Gothenburg natives shift gears on “It Ain’t Over,” where groove and catchy hooks fit together nicely. Then comes the pounding “Liar,” which hits the ignition switch immediately. This is a gritty street rocker that reveals another side of the band and adds some extra dirt to the album’s otherwise polished hard rock foundation.

The quieter tones return with “Sorry.” Much like “Chains,” the song avoids leaning too heavily on familiar ballad formulas. Yes, it is a ballad – but a well-crafted one. Much of its emotional pull comes from Samuel Nilsson’s expressive vocals, which turn “Sorry” into a genuine tearjerker without ever becoming overly sentimental.

“Try (To Believe Me)” brings the album to a close, putting those gritty ’80s sounds back in the spotlight. The song sits comfortably in mid-tempo territory, with another subtle hint of Aerosmith running through the arrangement without taking it over. At its core, this is a sleaze rocker driven by strong guitar work and some excellent solos, making it a fitting way to wrap things up.

The Greater Good is an album that stays fun from beginning to end without running into any obvious filler. Velveteen Queen combine the influences that shaped them with solid musicianship and enough musical character to keep the result from feeling like a history lesson. This is a band worth keeping an eye on. They already have the songs, the attitude, and the skills – and there is every reason to believe their biggest chapters are still ahead of them.