Erlend Øye - Unrest

Songs about waiting, and about all the little thoughts and frustrations that surface during those agonising spaces of nothing.10 single-track collaborations in 10 different cities.Pop minimalist, tragedy, and enough versatility for........ a generation of Volkswagen advertisements.

Erlend Oye, one half of the Kings of Convenience, teams up with a slew of international producers for his solo debut, UNREST. And, thanks to his strong songwriting and the producers' skill, this results in an outstanding album. Morgan Geist helps Erlend transform "Ghost Train" into a moody piece of electro, while "Sheltered Life" (with Soviet) is electro of a poppier vein. "Sudden Rush" is a subdued house track, with a chorus that'll have you tapping your feet and nodding your head. Part of Oye's strength is his lyric writing, which thankfully avoids cliche for the most part. But Jolly Music makes "Prego Amore" a pleasurable trip, with its staccato lyrics and peppy rhythm. "Every Party (Has A Winner and a Loser)," with the help of Prefuse 73, is sardonic blip-hop, while "Symptom of Disease" is a speedy little number. Bjorn Torske works his tech-house magic on "The Talk," and Schneider TM bleeps his way through "Like Gold," a track that brigns to mind the gorgeous Schneider's collaboration with KPT Michigan, "The Light 3000." For patient folks, there's hidden track, a remix of "Symptom of Disease" far into the last track. It's worth the wait.

Erlend Oye know his way around the block, this particular block being our own wide world. He can also discern the good from the great as he builds 10 tracks based on the best attributes of 1980’s electro–pop presented in his new album UNREST. Conjuring able assistance from like musical peers, Erlend travels to ten different cities over 12 months to custom craft 10 delightful tracks that are so simplistic that they should attract broad appeal without alienating critics nor fans. Morgan Geist, Prefuse 73, Bjorn Torske, Schneider TM, and Mr. Velcro Fastener lend credibility, and creativity to the kind of songs that get stuck in your subconscious with pleasant results. From safety to everywhere, UNREST is a double plus good with a bullet to the present.

There is no vocal on earth that makes me laugh , swoon and smile all at the same time quite like Erlend Oye's. While he had me fooled on Royksopp's "Remind Me" from Melody AM, I quickly discovered his King's of Convenience versus Remix CD.He also does a lovely version of "Last Christmas" on the Seasonal Gretings CD Compilation.

I am just waiting to hear him clear his throat and get ready to begin. Anxiously awaiting the release of Unrest with a gatehring of artists that will be a trip and a half! DocHawk- Karen