Happy 2009!

I hope your holidays were enjoyable, safe and happy.

There's nothing like starting off a new year with a new outlook and a good deal of optimism.

Which brings me to a new CD I have been enjoying for a few days. It's Anders Holst's "Romantika."

Holst is a New York-based singer/songwriter who hails from Sweden. And his style of music is adult contemporary with a bit of jazz thrown in for good measure.

"Romantika," which will be officially released Jan. 20, showcases his clean, no-frills vocals, and it highlights his smooth collaborative compositions. All of the songs on "Romantika" are original. Holst wrote the lyrics; he wrote the music with Mats Bystrom.

Holst also co-produced the CD with Bystrom, Alar Suurna and Jerker Eklund and gave the CD continuity.

There is a lot to like about "Romantika." It's easy to picture lofty penthouses overlooking big city blocks when "All About Soul" kicks off the CD. However, the track list — which also features dynamics tunes such as "Make It Shine," "Tainted Shots," "Innocent & Blue" and "Two Sides" — can also be heard comfortably wrapped up in a warm down comforter in a little two-bedroom apartment on a snowy winter night.

Holst's crafty lyrics are both nostalgic and soothing.

The only complaint, albeit small, is the fact that most of the songs have a similar delivery.

There isn't a lot of diversity when it comes to the feel of the songs.

Still, if adult-contemporary listeners want to hear a new voice, they should check out Anders Holst's "Romantika."

E-mail: scott@desnews.com