The Scandinavian
music scene is burgeoning with real talent and Norway are one
of the leaders in the talent stakes with formidable artists like
Supersilent, Kings of Convenience and Ulver flying the flag. Silje
Nes is a Norwegian singer-songwriter that further bolsters the
Norwegian cause with her unique brand of quirky indie-folk fused
with ‘whatever comes to hand’ instruments and broken-toy
electronica. ‘Ames Room’ is the first full length
for Silje who sent a demo into the Brighton based Fat Cat label
(Sigur Ros, Múm, Nina Nastasia) in 2005. Entirely self-recorded
and produced (with the exception of the opener), ‘Ames Room’
is a product of spontaneity and care-free affection.
The sound
of ‘Ames Room’ is one of subtle restraint. A sound
which is teaming with life yet is totally intimate and massively
fragile. Kind of like a stripped-down Télépopmusik,
Silje Nes creates intoxicating concoctions of hazy melodies which
bring to mind an image of hazy sunshine lighting up a frost-laden
landscape in fast-foward. The real uniqueness however lies in
the vocals. Silje delivers playful childlike vocals which sit
somewhere between Emiliana Torrini and ex Hooverphonic vocalist,
Liesje Sadonius. Like all emotionally-fragile female vocalists
(Islaja, Christina Carter etc.), she utilises her vocals as both
texture and song to stunning effect. Tracks range from slow-paced,
subtle folk-inspired lullabies to darker and denser soundscapes.
For example, ‘Giant Disguise’ is a subtle take on
charged indie-punk riffage over which smokey vocals and elementary
percussion unfurl to create a very warm and intimate piece of
softcore whilst ‘Searching, White’ exhibits a glimmer
of highly intimate amnesiac-fragility over detuned perpetual-riffage.
‘Bright Night Morning’ on the other-hand explores
a moodier and more melancholy side of Silje Nes, amplified by
the subtle mournful strings and dirgey vocals.
What is especially
amazing about this album is the fact that Silje Nes had no previous
experience of the instruments she utilised. Rather than creating
a sprawling mess, she creates a warmly-produced and contagious
slice of dreamy folktronica. This approach is successful due to
the lack of learned conventions coupled with the evident excitement
of discovering new sounds and these elements contribute to the
creative and unformulaic nature of ‘Ames Room’. ‘Ames
Room’ is a cracking release and deserves to be played on
a quiet and Snow-laden Christmas Eve, in front of a warm crackling
fire. (RM)
For
fans of: Low, Emiliana Torrini, Télépopmusik, Kings
of Convenience, Joanna Newsom, Fridge, Lau Nau, Hooverphonic
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