Top 5 Norwegian Releases In 2012

VG did it. Dagbladet did it. Also NRK P3, Musikknyheter and even Gaffa and Trønder-Avisa. So Marion does it as well (talking about myself in the third person - I'm the personified modesty!!). Like in 2010, like in 2011 and now 2012. The best Norwegian releases in 2012!!

Looking through the lists of those big newspapers there are a couples of names mentioned you can't fail to notice: Susanne Sundfør, Karpe Diem, Highasakite, Sweden and I Was A King. The Norwegian press seems to agree quite much on their choice of 2012s best records. And even though I do agree with them to a certain extend, I think they forgot a couple of releases in their selections. And I must say it was difficult to pick a favourite for this year - and I guess my first two ranks never were that close, and I never felt like putting any other two records on first rank... both!!



1. Hanne Kolstø - FlashBlack

She had me with her debutrecord Riot Break. And now I'm all tied up to FlashBlack. It's a mixture of styles, stealing freely from different genres, putting the unusual together, the mood is changing like the weather, creativity in chaos, uniting the opposites. It's a perfect mess - overwhelming at first but when you notice that every single word and tone was precisely placed on purpose you just want to let the album embrace you.
The Norwegian newspaper Nordlys wrote about Hanne Kolstø: "The most gripping thing Norwegian music got to see in a very long time." And I just couldn't agree more with that!!

Most recommended are the tracks: Carousel which also has a great music video (the best music video of the year if you ask me - Norway in a nutshell - watch the video here!), Pretty Veil, The Scoop and Far Ahead. NB: Read a full review of the album in my blog --> Hanne Kolstø | FlashBlack

FlashBlack was released on the 14th of September with Karmakosmetix Records. The album (even vinyl) can be bought via CDON.eu, Platekompaniet or directly from Karmakosmetix Records and downloaded from several music stores. You can listen to the album via Spotify and Wimp.

Rating: 5/6



2. Susanne Sundfør - The Silicone Veil

Pure Susanne Sundfør experience on this record. Similar to The Brothel we find here piercing synthesizers, roaring basses and drums but also smooth piano and string arrangements. All combined with Sundfør's matchless voice. What makes this music so special is the way Sundfør is putting her songs together. They could sound sweet and innocent, yet the songs theme is rather tough and serious which is reflected in the well thought-out lyrics.

Most recommended are the tracks: Rome (exceptional in its beauty and setup of tension; my favourite), The Silicone Veil - with the music video that was described as "Sundfør surprises with sex-video" by Dagbladet (serious journalism here.. *harrumph*... better get your own opinion), furthermore recommendable are When and White Foxes.

The Silicone Veil was released on the 23rd of March licenced by EMI Music Norway AS. The album (even vinyl) can be bought via CDON.eu, Platekompaniet or directly from Sundfør's webstore and downloaded from several music stores. You can listen to the album via Spotify and Wimp.

Rating: 5/6



3. Tone Jorunn Tveito - Vindlaus

Imagine traditionall music mixed with elements from electronic and jazz. Many tried to combine those and ended up being sneered at. Not Tone Jorunn Tveito. It's just the perfect mixture of old and new elements and influences and Norwegian lyrics. The tracks are partly quite mysteriously, whispered others are energetic and impulsive in their beats. Right now I can't think of any other artist that could be a better ambassador for Norwegian music than Tveito. Can't think of any other album sounding that Norwegian and reflecting the country's lifestyle that much. Tradition meets nature. Nature meets music. Music meets modernism. It's like a postcard set to music.

Most recommended are the tracks: Håret likar å strukje seg mjukt, Ho heve han i hugjen, Bergtekjen and Ingen Veit.

Vindlaus was released on the 3rd of February with Circle Media. The album can be bought via CDON.eu, Platekompaniet or directly from Tone Jorunn Tveito and downloaded from several music stores. You can listen to the album via Spotify and Wimp.

Rating: 5/6



4. Kate Havnevik - You

Finally the long-awaited follow up for Melankton was released. And Havnevik follows the track of her first album with popsongs ranging between jazz and electronic. Although the songs on You sound much more optimistic and lively with lots of drumming. Something that is really nice about the album are the richely used jazz elements like the useage of brass instruments which reminds me a bit of Nils Petter Molvær. Or more specifically: Imogen Heap meets Nils Petter Molvær. All in all, an enriched and danceable electronic-pop fusion - with the conclusion that Havnevik should be way more popular.

Most recommended are the tracks: Castaway, Disobey (with a very clever, catchy and interesting signature), Halo and Soon. 

You was released on the 10th of February with Continentica Records. The album can be bought via CDON.eu, Platekompaniet or directly from Havnevik's webstore and downloaded from several music stores. You can listen to the album via Spotify and Wimp.

Rating: 4,5/6



5. Anne Lene Hägglund - Onboard

While Hägglund's debutalbum was very playful and reminded very much of circus music is this album of a quite different character. Tranquil. A singer & songwriter's album including everything from indie to pop. Lots of guitar, lots of percussion (talking about cymbals and jazz brushes). It leads me to think of Ane Brun for example or maybe Ingrid Olava. But what the album misses is something that could make it exceptional, that has never been there before. Still it's a very nice and cosy album. Suitable for rainy days, reading, autumn walks and so on.

Most recommended are the tracks: Daylight, Put Your Feet In Front Of Mine, Follow, See Me While Hiding.

Onboard was released on the 13th of January with Swingaround Records. The album can be bought via CDON.eu, Platekompaniet and downloaded from several music stores. You can listen to the album via Spotify and Wimp.

Rating: 3,5/6



Now, as a bonus, my TOP 10 NORWEGIAN SONGS FROM 2012
[aka. songs I didn't get tired of after hearing 200+ times each]:

1. Maylen Rusti - Posters
2. Thelma & Clyde - Back2Black
3. Hanne Kolstø - Carousel
4. Susanne Sundfør - Rome
5. Kate Havnevik - Castaway
6. Mikhael Paskalev - I Spy
7. Hanne Kolstø - The Scoop
8. Kaizers Orchestra - Begravelsespolka
9. Susanne Sundfør - White Foxes
10. Moi - Syng meg i søvn


Other Norwegian albums from 2012 you definitely shouldn't miss:

Phone Joan - +47 91799466
Oðeon - Beauty In Bloom
The Little Hands Of Asphalt - Floors
SalmeKlang - Himmelveg
Kaizers Orchestra - Violeta Violeta Vol. III
Susanna - Wild Dogs
Kråkesølv - Alle gode ting
Oslo Ess - Verden på nakken, venner i ryggen
Gift - Mann i gata EP
Thom Hell - Suddenly Past
Highasakite - All That Floats Will Rain
Mikhael Paskalev - Mikhael Paskalev EP


Which albums I'm looking forward to in 2013 - at least hopefully (!!!): Jonas Alaska, Maylen Rusti, Hanne Kolstø, Frida Ånnevik, Mikhael Paskalev, Post, Grande, Salvador Sanchez, Silje Kåfjord, Machine Birds,.....

Hanne Kolstø | FlashBlack

It feels like I've just put down the record player's needle (good old vinyl records, huh?); the vinyl would still feel warm from playing it; and I'd just told the world about Riot Break. Yet it didn't even take a year to release the follow-up for Hanne Kolstø's debutrecord.

FlashBlack provides ten popsongs. Partly very complex and gloomy and light and danceable on the other hand. In contrary to Kolstø's first record Riot Break the songs don't have their climax in a orchestral sphere rather in a landscape with all kinds of sounds and noises. The album is provoking curiosity as well as satisfying it - it's the 2nd of a record-triology; adding another piece to the puzzle.

Pretty Veil was the first song that was released due to the "alternative christmas calender" in 2011. It's rather trivial in its arrangement but is riveting at the same time. Gloomy but honest. Suitable to the darker and cold season of the year.

After lots of touring including gigs in Norway and abroad, the summer came. And along the first official singlerelease: La-la-la-la Lovesong. "I lay awake at night, I'm not myself. So sick and tired of La-la-la-la Lovesong." Hanne's anti-lovesong quickly made its way to Norwegian radio stations and P3 ranges it among the Best Norwegian Songs in 2012. The soundrange for this one reaches back to 80s syth-pop elements. Casio-tunes, muted strings and rich cymbal work creating the rythm. Watch here the offical video for La-la-la-la Lovesong.

It got a bit quiet around Kolstø until September came and FlashBlack finally was released. Many songs remind of Depeche Mode, late Tears for Fears, Radiohead or maybe even a mixture of it all. Especially The Scoop could be ranged into the 80s with its steady and danceable beats.

"FlashBlack" albumcover by Erik Pirolt who also did the cover for "Riot Break"

Other tracks like "Not Looking For Us" (--> goosebumps!!) and "Far Ahead" (--> watch here a live version of Far Ahead recorded by P3) mostly remind of the debutrecord. They are carried by guitar chords and bring Hanne's (and choir) voice into focus. "Sizzly" is of the same playful character as "The City" but could have very likely been released by POST [--> A pop-orchestra of four members including Hanne; they released their debut album "Common Rand Of People" in 2010; as far as I understood they're now focusing on writing their lyrics in Nynorsk instead of English, which is very cool; Nynorsk is cool].

Quite doubtless is "Carousel" the track that might leave the most impression to the listener. It's so full of engergy that it's difficult to stay seated while listening to it. It makes you dance, hop around and gets you into a good mood. Very suiting to it is the music video which just fully captured my heart. It was directed by Fred Arne Wergeland who also directed Kolstø's video to "The City" and POST's "Slow Song". Furthermore the video features drift champion Fredric Aasbø and was filmed at several locations in Norway. To me it's the best music video of the year. Best described in a way of: Hipster meets Bunad. 

All in all is FlashBlack a good follow-up to Riot Break and preview for Blue Anger (the record yet to come). It features more electronic elements than Riot Break and might require a few listenings to really grow on the music. But generally it's a good mix of soft tunes, playful chords and drums, thrilling beats and piercing Casio-sounds. Most recommended are the tracks: Pretty Veil, Carousel and The Scoop. And I would give the album a 5/6 rating.

FlashBlack was released on the 14th of September with Karmakosmetix Records. The album (even vinyl) can be bought via CDON.eu, Platekompaniet or directly from Karmakosmetix Records and downloaded from several music stores. You can also listen to the album via Spotify and Wimp.


Get connected with Hanne Kolstø: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud

Hanne Kolstø - Riot Break

I'm not sure when exactly I started to listen to Hanne Kolstø's music, but it must have been in connection with Thelma & Clyde playing from my loudspeakers in February 2010. I guess there is no need to explain that Hanne is filling the Thelma-part of the widely known electropop duo. But besides of two more bands (Love:Fi, POST) she is also making music on her own behalf - her soloproject, so to say. And on Friday, 16th of September, her debut album "Riot Break" was finally and officially released. Big day!!!

Hanne Kolstø, Photo by Kjartan Bjelland // fvn.no

But before I start telling you what I like about this album I should explain how I came to listen to her music and how things developed. Back then (in Feb. 2010, as mentioned above) I listened to the solo-recording of "A Long Way" (a song she later released with POST) which I found and downloaded from her Urørt page. I would lie if I'd say I was fascinated and stunned at first sight. It was after all the only song I had known, besides of the 5-6 Thelma & Clyde songs. But I liked Hanne's voice, it's very pleasant to listen to and found the song interesting. And just thinking that the Thelma-stuff is one of the best things I've ever heard, made me curious to find and hear more from Hanne self or "In the Basement" as she called her soloproject back then. 

A long search on the internet provided me a couple of clips. Some live performances which I downloaded wisely thinking in advance because the page I took them from was deleted some time ago - it was some Norwegian page with lots of live performances and couple of muisc videos mainly from artists from southern Norway. However this way I got a preview of the things I could expect, sort of. And first and foremost I could see how she is performing the songs. Her voice, a guitar, a loopstation and some other unimposing utilities - not much more needed to make the songs sound complete and unique. And that truely impressed me.

So now the album is out and it's hard for me to stay objective - therefore I can't write a proper review (or I won't do that here on my private blog). But if you don't mind a personal opinion about "Riot Break" you can continue reading - otherwise I recommend the reviews from Norskmusikk.org and Musikknyheter.no !!

"Riot Break" albumcover by Erik Pirolt

"Riot Break" is not only title of the album but also of the song I had known the longest and which is based on voice looping and the sounds of a little keyboard. It's the coolest song on the album and interesting in the way it is put together. The other song I had known some time already is "What The Wind Can't Carry" - it starts so calming, kinda melancholic with a heartbeat-like rhythm. But by the end the song goes over into an orchestral-like explosion. "Clandestine" is of a similar kind - not that sad though. It's funny that this song wasn't much of my taste first but made me get up again at around 4 o'clock in the morning just because I had to listen to this song once more and another time, and another... It's now one of my absolute favourites of the album as well as "Black Hand" which I love because of the lyrics and this really nice guitar based melody underlined with some e-guitar. 

"Dead Seat" was probably the song I've been looking forward to the most since it was put out as teaser for the album and it's satisfying to hear how the full version turned out to be. The first track on the album "Don't Wan't To Be Happy In The Moment, I Want It To Last" I had known for several months and I was sceptic first of all but came to like it really, not least because of its lyrics: "Nobody can leave me, I'm already alone. I'm fine on my own, I don't need anyone. [...] If we don't know ourselves how can we be ourselevs? [...] If you don't like yourself than be someone else." These lyrics will just stick to your head and leave you pondering.

I was also sceptic about "Simca" which consists of drumming and Hanne's voice forming the melody in addition to guitar and some claps. It's maybe not the best tracks on the album but it belongs to the album just like the others. And on the other hand - some of the songs on the record are extraordinary good - just like the killer-hit-single "The City" - this beautiful, unique song starts quite gloomy but turns into a comforting popsong making you sing, dance and clap along. It's magical and a good choice for the music video which was released just about a week ago.
"Hide And Seek" makes the impression of a very honest and grounded song played on acoustic guitar with solid lyrics. The album is ending with "Dear Friend" - a, on a sweet guitar melody based, track awaiting an equally sweet song, but it gets a bit twisted in the middle just where you don't expect it.

All in all you get sweet melodies, cool loops, playful but carefully placed effects on Riot Break which are carried by Hanne's voice and underlined by the lyrics. If I had to express my feelings about the album in figures (like it's common in reviews), I'd give the album 5/6! And if I could recommend just three songs of it, I'd mention: Clandestine, What The Wind Can't Carry and The City.

Riot Break was released on the 16th of September 2011with Karmakosmetix Records. The album (vinyl!!!) can be bought via CDON.eu or Platekompaniet (if you live in Norway) and downloaded from many music stores. You can also listen to the album via Spotify or WIMP. 

Links to connect with Hanne Kolstø: Webpage | MySpace | NRK Urørt | SoundCloud

K-town is The City

Kristiansand, Norway. Summer 2011. Empty streets make this city in the very south of Norway appear like a small village were everybody knows each other. Its inhabitants: a bunch of people that couldn't differ more from each other. It's a special atmosphere - odd but familiar, controversial but interesting, excentric but magnetic. And in the middle of all this: Hanne Kolstø.

The City is the first single of Hanne Kolstø's upcoming album "Riot Break". It's a nice grounded pop song of the gloomy kind and at the same time embracing - especially the samplings in the background. Tommy Olsson writes in Morgenbladet: "[...] I can't possibly be alone to have noticed this seldom quality of a feeling as if someone's caressing my hair and saying that everything's going to be okay [...]" That description suits the song pretty well I think.

And now the music video to The City is released. Directed by Fred Arne Wergeland who already directed a video to one of Hanne's songs some years ago: Slow Song by POST (one of the bands Hanne is working with). As I'm a person who loves good music videos and who loves videoediting, I come to say that I like the way the video was cut, the slight vignetting and lighting.
But you better watch for yourself and stay tuned for the album release on the 16th of September 2011.

Be the city with all the lights that never ever sleeps at night & ENJOY!!

Black.Blue.Darkness.

Like a city that never ever sleeps I can't find any sleep now. Just an hour ago I was drop dead tired, ready to go to bed and happy about the fact that I could sleep more than the usual five hours during nights. Awake. What now? I feel like smiling. The urge of going outside right into the dark, cold night. Wanna absorb it.

What happened? I stumbled over the first single of Hanne Kolstø's debutalbum just a bit more than an hour ago. The track is called "The City" and is the first part of an album I have been looking forward to, probably even before it was recorded and definitely before it became what it is now. A view videos and articles about Kolstø that praise her as solo-artist is all that can be found on the world wide web. The in Kristiansand (=melting pot for good Norwegian music) living artist probably is one of Norway's greatest, untouched and secret talents though widely known there. 

I can't deny that I appreciate all her projects and bands (-those who are reading my blog regulary might have noticed that) - and what I love about her music is this huge amount of concentrated creativity that can be signified with her name. Perfectionalism. The music will embrace you and you just want to drown in it. Thrilling and piercing, all at the same time. 

I am longing for more and I can't wait to listen to every track on the album (which she'll release in April) - this one surpassed my expectations.

Hanne Kolstø: MySpace | Website

Thelma & Clyde - White Line

"When you walk, I'm right behind you; Don't know what I'm getting into" - It's a line of Ice, I'm quoting here. The first track on Thelma & Clyde's recently released album White Line. When you listen to the songs you can try to catch every soundsample, can try to catch the sense of the lyrics and you will get close to its meaning. But still... you won't know what you're getting into.

There is probably no other Norwegian electronica duo that has aroused as much interest as Thelma & Clyde during the last weeks. Now their debutalbum was just released and more and more people get soaked into this whole new universe. The duo, consisting of Hanne Kolstø and Trygve Tambs-Lyche, clearly differs from other electronica/electropop constellations and come up with their very own sound and style using elements from trip-hop, rock and hip-hop.

Photo by Per Sveinung Larsen

They create a gloomy and mysterious atmosphere with their songs. And you will notice that within the first 3:46 minutes of the album. The lyrics of Ice are well thought-out, the samples and programming elaborated to perfection. At this point should be mentioned that the album was mixed by the renowned producer duo Jan Bang and Erik Honoré (except for track no. 3 which was mixed by Thor Kvande) who took all the good material that has been recorded with Thelma & Clyde and transformed it into something stunningly great. And that kind of perfection can be heard on every track.

If you had known Thelma & Clyde before; if you already know the tracks they had on their EP you might feel a little overload in all the electronics, samples and synths for a moment but then you get carried away by the very powerful tracks Lockstitch, Hibernation and Crosscheck (featuring a rap by Salvador Sanchez known from Darkside Of The Force). Just go with the flow and the beats! ;)

Worth mentioning is also their first music video to Lockstitch. Directed by Per Sveinung Larsen. Great atmosphere in the video and suiting well to the song.

I absolutely recommend to listen to the whole album twice or more before you judge it. It grows! Take your time, lock yourself in a room, close the shutters in front of your windows and simply concentrate on the music, on Hanne's voice and the lyrics. Seperate the beats from the samples; the percussion from the synths; the keys from the bass. Enjoy every bit of it and the whole mix. It is worth it.

White Line comes with great lyrics. Some will make you shiver others will make you sing along. Some lines you won't be able to get out of your head again. "Big surprise; You were made out of worries and lies" - Bubble, Ice, Wicker, Sleep Slow - strong lyrics that will make you ponder for a while. In any case do the lyrics suit to Thelma & Clyde's style.

Also their live shows shouldn't be missed. A great example is the live video of Elusive Girl that can be watched on YouTube. The live shows are arranged in details: Matching tracksuits with glass tiles on the hoodies, lots of choreography and dancing, video visuals in the background, Hanne's pink wig, Trygve's glass-tile-glasses....

On White Line you get 11 electronica-tracks that will make you want to hear more of Thelma & Clyde. You will dance along, sing along.... and if you feel the urge to buy a pink wig or to smash a disco ball to glue its tiles on a black hoodie of yours - that's normal. By the way, the record is also available on vinyl for the special audio experience.


Thelma & Clyde's debut album White Line was released on the 8th of November 2010 with Karmakosmetix Records. All songs can be bought on iTunes. 

www.thelmaandclyde.com

Album cover by Per Sveinung Larsen

Autumn is on its way...

October 1st: Colored leaves are falling, it's getting colder outside and the days are getting shorter (well, they still last 24hrs - but you know what I mean). The new academic year at the university has started today while lectures will start the upcoming Monday. Shops started to sell candies and chocolate for christmas (yeah, we're still talking about autumn, I'm sure). And there is a cute raccoon living in my garden these days - I called him Bjørn Magnus.

After an exciting summer with some cool concerts and festivals I'm now looking forward to a peaceful fall. But there is so much cookin' and since I am having some plans (traveling! and more concerts!!) I need to figure out and organize I won't have much time to rest.

But I already found the perfect soundtrack for October: POST's debut record "Common Rand Of People" which was just released a couple of days ago (available on iTunes). I wrote a small review of the album on my MySpace page and I would recommend you to listen to the tracks the album. It's dreamy, piercing, strong and creative.
And you should absolutely check out this video of Hanne Kolstø, who is a member of Post, performing their song "Broken". This song is simple but so beautiful - I can't help myself clicking the reply button over and over again.
BTW: My review has been posted on the Facebook pages of both, POST and their label Karmakosmetix Records. (Ahhhh! - the sweet taste of fame!! ;) )

And now... enjoying the last bits of warm sunlight.