Exposé Online banner

Exposé Online

Not just outside the box, but denying the existence of boxes.
Covering music from the fringes since 1993.

Reviews

Actionfredag — Lys Fremtid i Mørke
(Diger DIG015, 2024, LP)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2024-12-12

Lys Fremtid i Mørke Cover art

Seems like only a month ago I was writing a review of Norwegian band Actionfredag’s first album, and already their second album is here, but to be fair that first album had been available since 2023 as a vinyl long player before the folks at áMARXE picked it up for a CD release; I think the same goes for this new one, but the vinyl and CD releases were almost simultaneous. One listen and any one who’s heard the first album Turist i Eget Liv will immediately recognize that the band has made an immense amount of progress with Lys Fremtid i Mørke. With a group of musicians and writers so profusely talented, they cover a lot of ground on the album’s eleven tracks, but the references abound with hints of the Canterbury sound (think Hatfield, Kultivator) and subtle jazz elements, but that’s not the entire story, and the guitar work throughout is nothing short of exemplary, often dreamy and introspective. The band membership remains as it was before: guitarists Aksel Valheim Lem and Martin Hella Thørnquist, the latter doubling on vocals, bassist Ola Mile Bruland (from Jordsjø), keyboardist Ivar Haugaløkken Stangeby (from Tusmørke), drummer Espen Fladmoe Wolmer, and singer Katrina Lenore Sjøberg. Add to that a guest list that includes violin, oboe, recorder, clarinet, french horn, glockenspiel, additional guitars, bass synth flute and percussion – no shortage of instruments to keep their sound fresh, varied and interesting. “Cloudboy Blidbop” is one of those tunes that begins with some guitar introspection that later opens up into a fun jazzy instrumental romp with some wordless vocals to brighten up the morning. “Angst oppå bordet” (anxiety on the table) opens the proceedings, a powerful and sometimes chaotic hard driving instrumental that features the entire lineup in top form. The two-part “Dalai Lama´s Five Dollar Mamas” swings with joy and freedom, opening the door to a jazzy whirlwind of sound, both making outstanding use of Katrina’s wordless vox, never mind that the two parts are on different sides of the LP, separated by four songs on the CD. One of her finest vocal performances with lyrics comes in the form of “Karesuando Camping,” with some harmonizing from Thørnquist, who takes the lead vocal on the following cut “Planet Bygningsetaten.” The minute-and-a-half guitar interlude “Ping Pong Lovesong” exists only on the CD, its brevity belying its beauty, while “Ja Noir” starts out snarly but sports another beautiful vocal once it settles down. A powerful album if there ever was one, Lys Fremtid i Mørke brings a lot of great ideas all together at once.

Filed under: New releases, 2024 releases

Related artist(s): Actionfredag

More info
http://amarxe.bandcamp.com/album/lys-fremtid-i-m-rke

 

What's new

These are the most recent changes made to artists, releases, and articles.