Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip Dig Deep with Outtakes — A Treasure Chest of Blues-Rock Gold

“A time machine fueled by grit, groove, and soul Outtakes is pure blues-rock brilliance.”

Jace Media Music

Review By Halina Wegner

Sometimes the best stories are the ones you almost never hear. Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip open the vault with Outtakes (out May 16, 2025), a retrospective collection of nine previously unreleased gems, and prove that even their “left behind” songs are absolute keepers. Spanning the early 2000s to today, Outtakes isn’t just an album—it’s a living, breathing history of a band that has spent over three decades defining and redefining Finnish blues-rock.

Opening with “On Vacation,” the album wastes no time setting the tone—easygoing grooves, rich storytelling, and that unmistakable Bjorklof swagger. It feels like the perfect Sunday drive soundtrack, windows down, world out of mind.

“Heal You” follows with a warm, soulful punch—an emotional balm wrapped in swirling blues licks and a chorus that feels like an old friend’s advice. Then comes “Way To Go,” a foot-stomping, bass-driven monster that’s dripping with attitude.

And just when you think you’ve caught your breath, “Running Shoes” races in, brimming with raw urgency and road-worn wisdom. “Each track on Outtakes is a snapshot in time—memories set to music, still burning with fire.”

“Dontcha Know” and “Bedtime Bomber“ turn up the mischief with infectious riffs and playful lyrical twists—proof that Blue Strip can groove just as hard as they can preach.

The album’s true centerpiece might just be “Silver Moon,” a six-minute odyssey that stretches out into moody, emotional territory. It’s a slow-burn stunner that shows just how wide the band’s sonic horizons have grown over the years.

Closing strong, “Keep In Mind” offers a short, sharp blast of melody-driven goodness, while “Spooky Ride” brings it all home with swampy textures and an irresistible dark charm.

Across all nine tracks, you can hear the shifts in style, the experiments, the evolution—but what ties it all together is heart. Every note is played like it matters, every lyric sung like it’s lived. These songs might not have fit previous records, but here they find their rightful place—and it feels like destiny.

“Outtakes isn’t leftovers—it’s a feast. Micke Bjorklof & Blue Strip have built a legacy, and this is their love letter to the fans who’ve been there for the ride.”

Final Verdict: Outtakes is a blues-rock celebration: a journey through the highs, lows, and in-betweens of a band that still plays every song like it could be their last—and we’re lucky to finally hear these hidden treasures.