Mette Juul: “Thank You & Other Stories”
Album release April 4th, 2025 / Nilento Records
Danish Jazz Singer and singer-songwriter Mette Juul releases
her seventh album, ’Thank You and Other Stories’ on April 4th
2025.
Through the years Mette Juul has been inspired by the singersongwriter tradition and the world of jazz, focusing on storytelling which has been a source of inspiration for generations. With ‘Thank You & Other Stories’, Mette Juul continues on this path.
The album features pianist Peter Rosendal, double bass player and multi-instrumentalist Lars Danielsson, and a guest appearance from percussionist Xavier Desandre Navarre – who all contributes to the interpretations of the songs.
On ’Thank You & Other Stories’ Mette Juul has written ten songs in which she strives to understand and relate to the world we live in today. She also interprets two cover songs which thematically has inspired her.
These are songs that remind us to be grateful for what we are given, rather than focusing on things we haven’t got. A reminder of how we perceive ourselves.
’The album is partly about relating to and accepting your own imperfections’, says Mette Juul.
Mette Juul also reflects on the role we play in each other’s lives, and how we sometimes turn a blind eye to those who do not fit in or can’t keep up with the pace of modern life.
The song ’Disturbance’ is about our ability – or lack of it – to accept diversity and the seemingly odd people who don’t fit in.
In songs like ’Lucky’ and ’Thank You’ Mette Juul tells about her luck in meeting generous people at the right time in life where she needed inspiration to find a better way. Not everyone is so lucky. Life may seem unfair – some are lucky and some are never embraced.
’Thank You & Other Stories’ is therefor also an expression of gratitude towards people who have been important in Mette Juul’s life and career.
The Danish journalist (from Politiken) Henrik Palle wrote the liner notes for the album. He writes, ’ A singing voice which dares to reach out and say those important words … the words we want to hear, or need to hear, for better or for worse. Mette Juul sings the body acoustic with flesh and blood, tears, sweat, and kisses.’
The album is available digitally, on CD, and vinyl.
Latest reviews
Salt Peanuts – Jan Granlie
`Absolutely Beautiful`
`clubs and festivals that feel they have a responsibility to put jazz at the center should include her in their program as soon as possible. She writes excellent compositions and lyrics (all are included on the cover), and she surrounds herself with excellent and highly attentive musicians. And then she always makes excellent records and concerts`
“On top of everything else, Mette Juul has a beautiful, soft and sensuous voice. No other singer could capture her meaningful words quite so well”.
Marlbank UK 4/5 stjerner
https://marlbank.net/2025/03/
Concerto Magasin – 2025– Germany: 4 1/2/5 stars.
Politikkens Henrik Palle skriver om albummet – DK :
“En sangstemme, der tør gribe ud og sige de ord, du ved… dem vi gerne vil høre eller trænger til at høre – på godt og ondt. Mette Juul synger kroppen akustisk, med kød, blod, tårer, sved og kys.”
Jazz Nyt – DK – 2025
Other reviews & articles
Quotes from reviews:
Celeste – 2023:
Downbeat
“The singular voice that accompanies the melody is truly captivating, perfectly capturing the music’s essence and ambience in a free and authentic way”.
“Mette Juul has a natural and sensitive way of singing that creates a warm and intimate atmosphere. Juul is singing with a deep connection to the listener”
Change – 2019 :
“a major musical accomplishment from Juul”
5 star review : Change – All about Jazz.
“Frau Juul ist eine der ganz großen Vocaljazz-Entdeckungen der letzten Jahre”
“Phänominal” 6 star review Germany
“Mette Juul is a distinguished vocalist. Her voice is at the same time vulnerable and powerful, and her phrasing is just perfect “ Henrik Palle – Politiken DK
It is the combination of the eminant compositions / songs, the high musical / technical level and the singer´s calm composure, vocal personality and sound that make the album something out of the ordinary” 5 star review : Change – Ivan Rod – DK
“The voice of Juul is a trademark because it flows naturally with the essens of the music”
Review – Change – Musica Jazz – Italy.
“what a delightful listening experience it is”
Review – CHANGE – Lance Liddle – London
“Sången är personlig och varm, hon visar en stor äkthet och en bedövande närvaro i sina sånger, med texter, som inte bara är tilltalande, utan fängslande”
Review – Change – Opulens – Sweden.
“Det här albumet är verkligen lätt att tycka om. Mette Juul sjunger andras och egna sånger till eget och andras gitarrackompanjemang, och det är bara att slå sig ner och njuta.”
Review – Change – Kulturdelen Sweden.
There is a Song : Quotes :
“Juul is one of those artists who creep up on you and grow upon you and, as you absorb the melodies and the intriguing lyrics, suddenly you’re in love with a voice” Lance Liddle, London Jazznews.
“Jazz singer and songwriter Mette Juul combines vocal jazz with folk musics warm intimacy
on an elegant album with contributions from the American trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire”
http://politiken.dk/…/rastloese-sange-forener-vokaljazz-me…/
“affecting delicacy, caressing the lyrics with palpable care…” Jazzwise UK.
“Rich scandinavian voice full of heartfelt presence” Jazznyt, DK.
Concert reviews :
“Sie gilt als eine der besten Jazzvokalistinnen Europas, was ihr Auftreten und ihre warme, klare Stimme im ausverkauften Jazzclub bestätigte” Bamberg Germany – Live concert.
“Mette Juul und band bringen internationalen Jazz an die Ostsee” 2017
http://www.shz.de/lokales/eckernfoerder-zeitung/mette-juul-und-band-bringen-internationalen-jazz-an-die-ostsee-id16388136.html
“Die dänische Jazz-Sängerin Mette Juul und Band haben dem Publikum im Mitbürgerhaus einen außergewöhnlichen Jazz-Abend beschert. Die Ausnahmesängerin und ihre vortreffliche Band spielten auf höchsten Niveau und aus einem Guss.” Eckernfoerder zeitung
More :
“Mette Juul ist beinahe eine Offenbarung wie sie heute nur selten zu erleben sind. Natürlichkeit und klarheit wirken empathisch and unterstützen das ungeschribene Dekret, Musik soll kommunikativ sein- und nachhaltig wirken”. Germany – Jazzpodium-Vocal tail.
“Ambrose Akinmusire har en smakfullt framträdande roll på skiven. Jeg fäster mig för hans originale infall, som skickligt vävs in i Mette Juuls uttryckfulla och spännande säng”… “allt till en lysande Mette Juul” Lasse Seger, Orkesterjournalen
“..quietly compelling vocals.”
Marlbank, Stephen Graham
“Mette Juul assert herself in the front line of female vocalists…”
Politiken DK
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Articles & Interviews:
Interview with Mette Juul – All about Jazz 2020
Featured album – ABC Jazz Australia 2020.