ALBUM REVIEW: ERJA LYYTINEN “Smell the Roses” with her new Album

On March 28th, 2025, award-winning guitarist and blues artist extraordinaire Erja Lyytinen will release her new studio album “Smell the Roses”.

How does this blues offering stack up?

“Smell the Roses” kicks off with a thumping beat and into a driving groove all while Erja’s sultry distinctive and honeyed vocals deliver controlled aggression of frustration that people don’t take a moment to appreciate the beauty in our world, yet all we do is fight each other to gain more than we need. It’s such a catchy rhythmic tune and incredibly replayable.

Erja Lyytinen - "Smell the Roses" - Official Music Video

Then the Blues hits hard with “Going to Hell” as Erja digs deep into a well of emotion and brings a real passion to the song. While listening the guitar sweeping along is pure Gary Moore at his best raising the hairs on the back of the neck. It is just an exemplar of beautiful melancholic blues played with exquisite skill. What a track.

“Abyss” kicks in with a pure blues rock refrain before stripping itself right back, disrobing the clothing to reveal Erja Lyytinen’s vocal wizardry. It is a darker, slower more sultry and raw song that hits deep into the soul like the blues should. This is a modern track that strays deep into the past, resurrecting the bluesier side of Led Zeppelin. And the way Erja makes you guitar gentle weep with her solos. You do find yourself slowly drowning in the abyss of her mastery with the guitar. It is traditional blues with her own inimitable modern twist.

Then comes “Dragonfly“, a strange mix of sweeping tempos that embroiders itself softly into your mind. It is a soft and hard, catchy, swinging track that gently takes your hand and walks you through a bright spring day as nature begins its rebirth. While has that distinctive slow blues tempo it has an uplifting ephemeral spirit that brings a wry smile to your face.

“Wings to Fly” while having that beautiful blues root to it, it soars into old school rock americana with a hint of Lynyrd Skynyrd, which Erja has said previous said she was trying to capture. This song, with Erja’s gorgeous fulsomely sweet vocals and the orchestral mastery of her guitar backed with pounding bass and drum rhythms, does indeed lift you up to swoop and soar through the clouds as the sun warms your skin. It is a positive song about letting go, especially of the negativity that may be holding you back on solid earth. A beautiful ode to healing oneself.

“The Ring” has an immediately powerful upbeat blues rock groove with a gorgeous use of slide guitar skills from Erja. This song rocks to the rhythm and blues all the while Erja’s vocals pour over the tune with her distinctive voice. This is a song that has boogie at its core and her solo just slides up and down your emotions until you get up and get down. It even has that incredible breakdown near the end – the blues rock equivalent of waiting for the beat to drop. The song joyfully toys with you. Love it.

Erja Lyytinen - "The Ring" - Official Music Video

A wall of elegant sound kickstarts “Ball and Chain” before it swiftly clamps onto you before you know it doing a sharp turn into a strange uplifting country blues rock rhythm and groove. How Erja sings just painted an incredible cross over, as if Dolly Parton decided to do blues rock. The chorus is just pure pop like catchy riffing that becomes an earworm that will stay with you throughout the day.

“Stoney Creek” has a catchy 60s rock and roll swing to it. Even the vocal distortion brings you back to the time of the Beatles, The Kinks, and The Animals. This tune is like a very fine wine made in the last decade but tastes as sweet as if it had been a fine wine well laid 60 years ago awaiting its moment. It feels modern but has nostalgia deeply woven into its taste.

Finishing off the album is “Empty Hours“, echoing of the past with Erja’s mastery of her guitar as she softly, almost whispering, sings a slow melancholic and dolorous song of wistful sadness. Her vocals bitter sweetly weaving through the tunes pitching and slow picking. Its almost a dreamlike tune that can tenderly lift you into the sweet land of beautiful sleep. What a tune to finish with. It is a determined wolf in sheep’s clothing as it is a statement being at the end. It says “To be continued…”

Happy Metal Geek says…

What can be said about Erja Lyytinen that others will not be saying? What can be said that is different? To be honest I can’t really think of anything. When anyone listens to this masterpiece of an album, of nine songs, they will all think the same thing. It is a beautiful creation that wraps blues, rock, boogie and symphony like guitar strokes together in a package that is tied up in a silky sultry bow of Erja’s vocals.

Each and every song on this album is stand alone. There are no fillers. And with that the album covers a full gamut of rhythms and grooves to give anyone even remotely interested in the blues pure satisfaction. Erja Lyytinen, quite simply, proves herself to be a consummate master of the craft and this album is an absolute must.

Erja Lyytinen’s new album “Smell The Roses” is released by Tuohi Records on March 28th.