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Haakon Ellingsen — Why Act As If Love Doesn't Exist
(Ellingsongs No #, 2025, CD )

by Peter Thelen, Published 2025-04-08

Why Act As If Love Doesn't Exist Cover art

Norwegian troubadour Haakon Ellingsen has released a dozen solo albums since his 2001 debut Minstrel; before that one will find him as a member of The Last James (three albums from 1990-1996) and Gramophones (one album, 1997). His solo albums are about evenly split between those sung in Norwegian and those sung in English, and this latest is among the latter. His work, even going back to the 90s is decidedly influenced by the 60s baroque and psychedelic pop of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Kinks, The Byrds, and similarly inclined artists, though it remains uniquely his own work. Regarding his latest, in these times of uncertainty and political chaos, he wanted to offer listeners something light, positive, and pleasing, echoing childhood innocence and love, although several of the cuts herein approach some serious topics as well. Ellingsen is a classic example of the modern singer-songwriter and master arranger, playing most of the instruments himself, including acoustic and electric guitars, keyboard, ukulele, Irish bouzouki, charango, bass, oud, Indian harmonium, fado guitar, kalimba, banjo, and more, and of course vocals (sometimes harmonized as well); a couple other names are to be found in the credits: Kyrre Fritzner produced the album, and one Lars Lundevall (member of deLillos, Pitbull Party, and others) who “brings his expertise,” though I’m not sure if he played any instruments along the way. Someone played drums, and they did a sparkling job on the songs that feature them, just the right amount, never too much. The album opens with “Jump for Joy,” an autobiographical piece featuring elements of childhood, his musical journey, all accompanied by acoustic guitar, until we get within a minute of the end when things get far more psychedelic. Some Byrds-esque guitar jangle informs “Let’s Go for the Roses,” a powerful piece — “...could I fly like I did last night in my dreams” — the end section almost sounding like a different song. A joyful romp in the form of “A Dream of Decency” refers to the “dream” of Dr. Martin Luther King, “The Secret” gently describes a memory with guitar and banjo accompaniment, later followed by some psychedelic bits that wouldn’t have been out if place on Revolver, while “Lullaby for My Butterfly” is a powerful love song that closes the album. Eleven wonderful songs in all.

Filed under: New releases, 2025 releases

Related artist(s): Haakon Ellingsen

More info
http://ellingsongs.no/cloudberry-tales
http://orcd.co/why_act_as_if_love_doesnt_exist

 

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