Sportsman is a master of bold moves. He took a three-year break to plan his next move, then surprised us all with a debut album announcement straight after returning from said hiatus. This news is also accompanied by the Stockholm-via-Malmö artist’s first release since a cover of Taylor Swift’s ‘Begin Again’ two years ago. What’s particularly interesting about Sportsman's approach to songwriting is that he isn’t afraid of the literal. The song is called ‘Running On A Beach’, because during a stay in Tanzania, Per Magnusson was awoken one morning to the sound of a muezzin and - while high on antimalarial medication - went for a run on the beach. As he reimagines for the listener, “I got up and walked straight out on the postcard-like beach. I took a run in the sunrise, passing drunk fishermen and women spinning seaweed. This song is about these magic hours on the border of dream and reality.” Frolicking synthesizers, a melodramatic cymbal and sweeping violins transfix the listener. Magnusson’s inner monologue is heard through a soft pop-meets-R&B vocal, the words sometimes not reaching their finishing letter, furthering the sense of intoxication. As the track meanders towards the end, Sportsman again turns to the literal, repeatedly singing “I can feel my heartbeat” with beats to mimic the sound of this anatomical organ. It’s an tempting first taste of the Swede’s long-awaited first album, Neverland, out June 2nd via Best Fit Recordings. Not long to wait now. - HT