B-Side Guys

Songs, like photographs, can capture moments in amber. But sometimes they refuse to stay frozen, evolving and gathering new meaning across decades. Mona Grytøyr’s “Just a Dream” exemplifies this transformation, emerging twenty-five years after its creation to speak to present loss while honoring its original meditation on vulnerability.

Created in collaboration with Richard Wikstrand in the late 1990s, this newly recorded version demonstrates the value of patient artistry. Wikstrand’s guitar work provides a delicate framework, while the rhythm section of Jarle Vespestad and Finn Guttormsen adds what Grytøyr accurately describes as both “solid and fluid foundation.” The production, handled by Grytøyr herself, creates space for each element to breathe while maintaining the intimate feel of a live performance.

The track’s journey from its original composition to this current incarnation mirrors its thematic exploration of vulnerability. As Grytøyr explains, “We are all vulnerable and must allow ourselves to be so.” This universal truth takes on additional resonance in light of her recent loss – the passing of her father Bjørn Falk Grytøyr in July 2024, to whom she has dedicated this release.

What’s particularly striking about the production is how it balances contemporary clarity with timeless arrangement choices. Guttormsen’s double bass provides both melodic counterpoint and rhythmic anchor, while Vespestad’s subtle percussion work adds texture without overwhelming the delicate interplay between voice and guitar.

“Just a Dream” demonstrates how songs can simultaneously serve as time capsules and living documents. This version honors both its origins and its present meaning, creating something that feels both perfectly preserved and remarkably present.