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Burning Bridges Into Dust – The Strumbellas

Folk Pop

Let’s start in Canada, with The Strumbellas and their new EP. I was not familiar with the band, so although many reviewers seem surprised how toughened up the band has become, I quietly accept that this is how they sound. And I thoroughly enjoy the big, melodic hooks, the sing-along quality of some of the tracks and the hopeful and life-affirming sound. Maybe I need to go back and listen to their back catalogue…

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Fête Foraine – Christophe Maé

French Pop

Christophe Maé has been around as a best selling French artist for more than a decade. He is now in his fifties, and his new album reflects it, both in music and in the lyrics – although I have to rely on French speakers to confirm the latter. I find Maé not the typical French chanson singer, I like the melancholic twist to many of the songs and the unpredictable turns in his compositions.

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Hurts Like Hell – Charlotte Cornfield

Toronto Indie

Canadian singer Charlotte Cornfield is one of Canadian indie music’s best storytellers, mostly about herself and her personal life. But on her new album she has obviously been inspired by bar conversations, horrible parties, and by recent childbirth, possibly explaining the album title. Still, this is an enjoyable album musically as well, with light and band-driven tracks, fitting so well with her narrative lyrics.

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Mud Blood Bone – Cat Clyde

Canadian Singer-Songwriter

Cat Clyde is another versatile artist from Canada, giving us music within a wide range of genres. Her love of classic blues and country is obvious, but Mud Bloody Bone also introduces us to rockabilly and straight singer-songwriter material. One of my favourite albums this month.

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Off The Fence – The James Hunter Six

British Blues

Here comes another slice of vintage soul, except that it is not vintage at all, but brand new. James Hunter has been active for decades, though. His distinctive voice and his groovy music, particularly together with his five pals, are a true treat for my ears. The tracks are short and punchy, with a happy vibe.

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Ricochet – Snail Mail

Baltimore Indie

Snail Mail is the project of American indie‑rock musician Lindsey Jordan, who emerged in the mid‑2010s and quickly became known for emotionally direct, guitar‑driven songs.Her music has an element of dream pop in it that I don’t particularly like, but there is also a sincerity in her music that makes me continue to listen.

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Shades of Gil Evans – Bohuslän Big Band

Modern Big Band

Bohuslän Big Band is a Swedish jazz orchestra based in Gothenburg, originally formed as a military band, I would say one of the best big bands anywhere. This time they have made a concept album as a tribute to legendary Canadian band leader Gil Evans. Most of the music on this album is a bit outside of the scope of my blog, but I have picked a few tracks that hopefully will invite you to listen to other great, and possibly more accessible albums by this band. A fun fact: The recording was actually made about 18 years ago and shelved, so its 2025 release has been presented as a kind of “lost” project finally seeing daylight. Which is another good reason to listen.

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Taracá – Jorge Drexler

Candombe

Candombe was completely unknown to be before I listened to this great album by Uruguayan Jorge Drexler. The genre is described as an Afro‑Uruguayan music and dance tradition built around interlocking drum rhythms, emerging in Montevideo in the 18th and 19th centuries among enslaved and free Africans and their descendants. Interesting, of course, but you don’t have to be a candombe afficionado to listen to Drexler’s music. I recognize both samba, flamingo and general latin rock in his songs, which is more familiar to me than candombe.

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THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. – RAYE

UK Contemporary R&B

Rachel Keen, aka RAYE, is in my view one of the most adventurous and fearless British pop artists of her generation, and this album is close to being a masterpiece. Here she merges jazz, big band, soul, blues and orchestral pop with a self-confidence bordering on arrogance, but still with a vulnerability that makes me choke just listening to her. The album is like a musical, it has guests appearing, like her grandfather and Al Green, she has a full track of credits in the end, she sings, she roars, she talks to us. It is like nothing you have ever heard before.

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BONUS

Møter med folk – The Soundtrack

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Last week my latest book was released in Norway, «Meetings with People – twenty celebritues, one call girl. And me» In it I am recounting my meetings with famous people as an insecure freelance journalist in the 1970s and 1980s. I have made a playlist of music to accompany the book, music made by artists like Cliff Richard, Alan Price, Mike McGear, Harald Sæverud, Ole Paus, Anne Marie David and others. It is a mix that makes more sense if you’re reading the book, but the music is great in itself, so have a listen even if your first language isn’t Norwegian…

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Read My Lips – Lou Ann Barton

Texas Blues

Though Lou Ann Barton never broke into the mainstream of pop music, I would say she is one of the great modern blues vocalists, with Read My Lips standing as perhaps her definitive album, released in 1989. I discovered her in 1982 when her «Old Enough» album was released, and I was so intrigued by her raspy voice and her tough R&B music, most of which were covers. Still, it is Lou Ann Barton’s versions that stick with me, not the originals, like «It’s Raining» and «Rocket in My Pocket».

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David Gates

The third artist to move into my newly created Hall of Fame is David Gates, the man who has had one of those quietly far‑reaching careers: a behind‑the‑scenes writer and producer who then became the soft‑rock voice of the 1970s with Bread, and who has spent the last few decades largely retired and out of the spotlight. He is originally from Oklahoma, but most of his success was made in Los Angeles, first as a writer for others, like the Murmaids and Monkees. In 1968 Gates formed Bread with Robb Royer and Jimmy Griffin, and turned the band into one of the great easy listening successes of the 1970s, with hits like “Baby I’m‑a Want You,” “Everything I Own,” “If,” “Diary,” “Aubrey” and “The Guitar Man.” David Gates moved on the be a successful solo artist as well, and many of his best compositions are from this period. Today he lives quietly on his farm and doesn’t record any more, but his previous work is still out there – now also in my playlist.

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BRITPOP – Robbie Williams

Dance Rock/Euro Pop

Let’s start with the return of Robbie Williams and the 1990s. You might have forgotten both. I have to admit that part of the new album doesn’t thrill me at all, but there is enough of good, energetic music to make listening worthwhile. I have picked the best tracks for you, I hope. The album title tells you what kind of music you can expect, and Williams performs with a great dose of self-confidence. but also self-awareness this time. The album includes that missable official FIFA anthem for the coming World Cup. But you might as well get used to hearing it….

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Don’t Call Me Baby – Sabine McCalla

New Orleans Americana

Next, a musical trip to the city of New Orleans and singer Sabine McCalla’s debut album. I would argue it is hard to pin down McCalla genre-wise, and why should we? This is a warm, impressive, extremely varied album from an artist we are bound to hear from again, so just enjoy it and let every track surprise you.

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Esperança – Nancy Vieira & Fred Martins

Capeverdean folk/Deep Brazilian Pop

I have just spent more than three weeks in beautiful Portugal, and listened to the unhurried music of Cape Verdean and Brazilian artists Nancy Vieira & Fred Martins. If you really need to wind down, get into this silky voice-and-guitar collection. I picked up quite a lot of Portuguese while I was in the country, but never enough to understand much of the Portuguese lyrics. That didn’t matter much, the album still offers peace, quiet, without ever sounding sparse.

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locket – Madison Beer

Pop

Justin Bieber supposedly discovered Madison Beer when she started posting cover songs on YouTube in 2012. Fast forward to 2026 and her third solo album, and she still sounds like a teen-pop artist at times. However, quite a few of the Locket tracks are considerable more mature and interesting than her previous stuff. The music is elegant and polished, and her vocal performance is confident and controlled.

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The Parlour – Picture Parlour

UK post-punk

It’s time for glamrock from one of the most hyped band of the year so far, Manchester-based (almost) girl band Picture Parlour. Lots of energy both in the vocals and the prodction itself; this is so much on the other side of the scale than Nancy Vieira/Fred Martins and even Madison Beer. Still, I enjoy the ride, hopefully you will, too.

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Sanger fra et menneske – Terje Formoe

Norwegian folk

My friend Terje Formoe never rests, and throughout the last decade he has released a fair number of albums of narrative, lyric‑driven intimate folk songs in the singer‑songwriter tradition. His latest (translated «Songs from a human being») is in my view his best to date. Some tracks, like the anthemic «Bortenfor alt», comes with lush full orchestra arrangement, perfectly matching Formoe’s sensitive voice and his able lyrics.

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Scenes From Above – Julian Lage

Contemporary jazz guitar

Julian Lage was a child prodigy and performed at the Grammy Awards at the age of 12, and has since been regarded as one of America’s finest jazz guitarists. His new album is gentle and beautiful, not necessarily with tunes that stick in your mind, but rather offering moods and atmosphere. I love listening to his soothing music.

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Sinners – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

I was not at all surprised when the original soundtrack for «Sinners» won an Oscar for best original score, I was more surprised when the song «I Lied to You» did not win best orignal song. Because this is a truly original album, as is the film, covering more genres than any new album out, and not only Delta Blues. I love listening to the Irish ballads and American tracks as well. If you wake up one day feeling bored, listen to this album from start to finish, you’re bound to feel invigorated.

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Tomorrow’s Yesterday – Karin Krog

Norwegian jazz

One of the greatest living jazz vocalists, Karin Krog, has recorded a new album at the age of 88. That’s hard to beat. It is in no way a sensational collection, rather it is secure, timeless album, with quite a few notable interpretations of jazz standards, performed in Krog’s inimitable style.

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The Wind Doesn’t Blow This Far Right – Lisa O’Neill

Irish Singer-Songwriter

One would think that the troubling times we live in would foster a number of protest singers and politically charged songs. The 1960s taught us the values of politically conscious artists. Lisa O’Neill could have fitted in perfectly, that’s why it is so important to listen to her now. The title song of her EP is the best example, a lament for humanity, full of anger and defiance.

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Your Picture – The Sha La Das

Souldies

It is possibly the doo-wop sound of the Sha La Das that gives me the feeling that this band has been around forever. Well, Bill Schalda has been around for a while, since the 1960s, but he quit the music business for decades, before forming Sha La Das with his three sons in 2018. Doo-wop can be summed up as «a 1950s vocal harmony style of rhythm and blues, built around a tenor lead, close‑harmony backing voices singing nonsense syllables, simple chord changes, and teen‑romance lyrics», which is what you get on «Your Picture». In small doses this is enjoyable and impressive.

Bonus 1 🐣

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I love Jason Segel and Harrison Ford’s warmhearted comedy series Shrinking. I equally love the soundtrack, not only the main title theme by Benjamin Gibbard (now in my list as well) , but the collection of fantastic tracks the producers have found to use in the series. Here is a playlist made by Romanoid Androidoff (sic). When you need a break from Music Hunter for a short while, switch to this, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy it as much as I do.

Bonus 2 🐣

I am eagerly awaiting Paul McCartney’s new album, Dungeon Lane, which I will share with you when the time comes. Here is the first release from the album, a lovely ballad that couldn’t have been written and performed by anyone else.

Bonus 3 🐣

My daughter Karoline Wallace has released her new album Eon, a mix of modern jazz, folk and pop, highly experimental. I am so touched that she has also used one of my unreleased songs, «Live for Today», as a background for one of the tracks. The themes for the album are rocks, geology and indefinite time, so she has used rumbles as an introduction to the song itself.

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The Honeydrippers Vol. 1 – The Honeydrippers

Rock’n’roll

Welcome to the shortest classic I have ever shared with you, it is fair to call it an EP. The Honeydrippers is the 1981 brainchild of Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, who wanted to form a rock band with a traditional rhythm and blues basis. He got people like Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Brian Setzer and Paul Schaffer involved and turned the idea into a supergroup (much like George Harrison and his friends did with Travellin Willburys). There are no original songs on the album, but it has a distinct sound, and with Plant’s powerful voice up front, what is there not to love? It is a perfect sing-a-long-record, and I remember it being compulsary at any party in the early 1980s. On the remaster version in 2006, the record company added a live version of «Rockin’ at Midnight». I couldn’t resist adding it to the list, so you get to hear the Roy Brown tune twice.

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Annie Lennox

The second artist in my very personal Artist Hall of Fame is one of the greatest voices ever, Annie Lennox. She har received more prestigious awards than this, of course, both as a solo artist, and as member of the duo Eurythmics, with Dave Stewart. She has performed some of the most iconic pop and rock hits ever with Eurythmics, but I commend her as much for her many brilliant covers – I would say she reshapes and reimagines some of the songs, giving listeners like me an all new experience. Among the best examples are Paul Simon’s «Something So Right» and Procol Harum’s «A Whiter Shade of Pale». This is also an artist with a conscience, her latest engagement for the Palestinian cause is a recent example. I have regretted never attending a concert with her, nor with Eurythmics, but one can always hope the opportunity rises in the future.

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Airline Highway – Rodney Crowell

Let’s start the year with the godfather of Americana, Rodney Crowell. His late-in-life new release is country music at its best, from one of the best songwriters of the genre. There are few of the common country cliches on the album, instead it is a light hearted collection from a man matured. Terrific.

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A Bridge Too Far – Midlake

Texas band Midlake has been around for quite a while, too. A Bridge Too Far is a luscious, warm album, with lovely harmonies wrapped around great songwriting. I find it takes a while getting into the songs, but if you like folk-rock and quiet rock, this might be for you.

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Echo In The Dust – Julianna Riolino

Canada is often overshadowed by the U.S. in the music press, which is unfair in so many ways. Here is another great new Canadian artist, Julianna Riolino, giving us sometimes gritty, other times soft rock and pop. Her voice is always on the attack, reminding me of more famous voices like Linda Ronstadt and perhaps even Roy Orbison. Listen and you might agree.

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Foxes in the Snow – Jason Isbell

Fans of Americana should particularly enjoy this month’s playlist. Here is the first album in a decade from Alabama-born singer Jason Isbell, one of the Americana greats. This is a completely stripped-down album, with Isbell and his 1940 Martin accoustic guitar, and with heartfelt and intimate songs about break-up and life transitions.

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LUX – ROSALÍA

Catalan singer Rosalía was already a major international star before the 2025 album LUX was released. But fame knows no boundaries when it takes off, and the album was hailed both as one of the best albums of the year, but also as a breakthrough for fusion of musical genres. Rosalía combines classical instruments, latin, pop,electronic music to create an album so distinctive and different that it will stand out for years. As with classical music, Rosalía’s music demands attention, but the reward makes it worth it.

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Magnetic North – The Canoes

I have to admit I though The Canoes was a band from the American Midwest, until I learned it is a group of mature Norwegian male artists, who had enjoyed successes with other great local bands in the past, and now just wanted to have fun. Maybe that explains why this album is relaxed and, yes, fun, with catchy songs and great songwriting, a happy album as an antidote agains the sombre mood of the world these days.

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Oblivion – Alice Phoebe Lou

Alice Phoebe Lou is a South African singer‑songwriter who began as a street performer in Europe after leaving school, busking in cities like Berlin and building a word‑of‑mouth following. She has self-published most of her albums, including Oblivion – and as supporters of the diversity of this industry we ought to support artists who decide to take matters into their own hands. Especially when the result is as good as Lou’s latest album, intimate, stripped-down and simple, blending pop and jazz and folk.

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Sad and Beautiful World – Mavis Staples

At 86, most people still alive decide to quit their day job. Not Mavis Staples. She started her career as sould and gospel singer back in the 1950s. This is her 14th studio album, a collection of covers by artists like Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits. This quiet and underplayed collection is a true treat. Her voice is definitely wethered, but it suits the songs so well. And her choice of songs point in the direction of hope and perseverance.

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Selenites! Selenites! – Jimi Tenor Band

What about a band based in Finland playing happy Afro beat, brass-band jazz and soul. No? Yes! Give it a try. Jimi Tenor is a Finnish multi-instrumentalist with lots of good music buddies, forming the Jimi Tenor Band. The sound is unpolished and rattled, but full of warmth and fun.

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Valentine – Courtney Marie Andrews

I wrote earlier that this month’s playlist should please Americana listeners. Courtney Marie Andrews’ new album should please a wider audience than Americana afficionados. I have followed Andrews’ career since she started and always liked her output. On Valentine she excels both as a songwriter and singer. This is quite a collection, of intimate songs, subtle but still lush and sophisticated.

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Vendrán Suaves Lluvias – Silvana Estrada

Silvana Estrada recently won a Latin Grammy for Best New Artist, establishing her as one of the leading voices in Latin indie folk. Her new album (translating to «There will come soft rain») is softly intense, with simple arrangements embracing her voice. This is true and genuine Latin music.

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Woman of Faces – Celeste

It feels right to end this month’s album presentation with an album that is best enjoyed late at night with low lights and a long day behind you. Celeste’s music draws on classic jazz and soul while sounding distinctly contemporary. Her previous album was my favourite album of the year (you’ll find it in the list I introduced in December of last year, Music Hunter Wall of Joy) I am also thrilled by her confident newest album, that will protect Celeste’s reputation as one of the leading soul voices in the world.

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52nd Street – Billy Joel

Billy Joel was a rising star when this album came out in 1978, but this was nevertheless his first number 1 album. He won Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards, and his fame spread across the globe. I was living in the U.S. at the time, and was lucky enough to attend one of his outdoor concerts in California a couple of years later. I was hooked for life. Why is the album so great? Well, Joel exceled as a sophisticated songwriter, a singer and a pianist. Phil Ramone, one of the hottest record producers in the 70s produced it, and the album was filled to the brim with hits.

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Alan Price

The first artist to get his plaque upon the wall of my very personal Hall of Fame is Alan Price. (There is no particular order to the artists I present, but they are of course all worthy of lifetime achievement praise…)

Alan Price, The Animals’ eminent keyboard player, will forever be associated with «The House of the Rising Sun», both as performed with the Animals and later as a solo artist, both tracks are in this month’s playlist. His fame piqued a few times more as well, particularly when the movie «O Lucky Man» was released in 1973, with music by Alan Price – and a start of an acting career as well.

I met and interviewed him in 1978. He had just released a brilliant new studio album, «England, My England» and was working on a reunion of The Animals (they tried more than once to restart). I found him absolutely charming extremely knowledgable on the history of rock and pop – and was even witness to a private performance of his own take on «House of the Rising Sun» (a story I write about in my new book «Møter med folk» («Meetings with People») to be released in Norway later this year.

Alan Price is consided one of the best keyboard players in rock’n’roll, but he should also be remembered for his vocal style – he sings as if his life depends on it – and his brilliant songwriting. I am particularly fond of his ballads, many of which you’ll find in the playlist.

He is now 83 years old, and is still performing now and then. Here he is, ready to perform in 2025:

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Caught Light – Great Lake Swimmers

Let’s start with a trip to Canada, and to what we should call Canadiana, with folk band Great Lake Swimmers. They have been around for a long time, this is their nineth studio album, I believe, warm and intimate in the 70s indie territory , beautiful and well-crafted melodies and harmonies to go with them.

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El Quinto Cardón – Los Cinco Cardones

Over to Mexico, and an interesting jazz group, Los Cinco Cardones, offering really accessible, funky jazz. Drummer and head of the group is Sebastian Maschat, residing in Austria, and part of the album is thus recorded in Europe, although it has a definite latin feel to it.

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Exits & Entrances – KANE

And while in Europe, let’s travel on to Holland and one of their greatest rock bands, KANE. The boys have split up numerous times, which might explain the album title, but there is a lot of nostalgia in their home country keeping the success going. This is happy rock and swelling ballads, of the sort we used to listen to a lot in the 80s and 90s. Why not continue?

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Fatal Optimist – Madi Diaz

From station rock we turn the volume down considerably. Nashville’s Madi Diaz’ new album Fatal Optimist is the first of many albums in this month’s list dealing with break-up. Some of the tracks are on the depressive side, but I really enjoy some of the intimate tracks where we can hear every crack in Diaz’ sensitive and warm voice.

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LIAR (Love Isn’t a Right) – Tanita Tikaram

I have been an avid fan of Tanita Tikaram since the late 80s when she became an instant star with Twist in My Sobriety and her debut album Ancient Heart. Her young ancient heart has matured further, and I believe LIAR is among the best albums ever from her. The songwriting is impeccable, varied and suitably custumized to her lovely contralto voice. The title track is a cover of a track from Molly Drake‘s catalogue, with such a strong message for our time.

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Lovin’ You – Richard Ashcroft

Verve-vocalist Richard Ashcroft is back, softer and cuddlier than ever before. One should think spending time on the road with the Gallagher brothers of Oasis should toughen him up, but «Lovin’ You» is mostly a gentle album, with lots of mid-tempo songs that suit his voice perfctly. It suits my taste as well.

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Pretty Idea – Amber Mark

Amber Mark is out with her second album, and we are served soft RnB with lots of retro disco elements. The album is slick and with a number of tracks that begs re-listening. The lyrics are personal and saturated with relationship references. Her marketing people are pouring out sexually laden photos of her, which is totally unnecessary – this is an artist that can speak through her music, and do not need to be portrayed as a just another sex symbol.

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Returning to Myself – Brandi Carlile

Brandi Carlile of The Story fame, has been part of many collaborative projects lately, most prominently the album she did with Elton John, but also her Joni Mitchell concerts. Now she is back on her own again, and although the album lacks another The Story, it is still a strong statement of what she is capable of. This is pop and rock with passion.

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So Say All Of Us – Real Ones

Norwegian band Real Ones has been around for decades, and like KANE of Holland, very little have changed since their debut. Thank god for that. This is still an easy blend of folk, pop and a bit of psychedelia, with harmonies and jam‑friendly grooves intact rather than chasing trends. And so say all of us.

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There’s Always More That I Could Say – Sigrid

Sigrid is a Norwegian pop singer‑songwriter who broke out internationally with “Don’t Kill My Vibe”, winning a reputation for hook‑heavy, no‑nonsense Scandi pop, becoming one of Norway’s most visible pop exports in the process. Now she has matured considerably, in mye view. Yes, her music is still hook-heavy, but both her ballads and up-tempo tracks have considerably more depth to them than on her previous two albums. And still thoroughly enjoyable.

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Traces of You – Ivy

Ivy is a New York indie‑pop trio formed in the mid‑1990s by French singer Dominique Durand with Andy Chase and Adam Schlesinger, trying to bring 60s French pop to the U.S. Adam Schlesinger became on of the unfortunate victims of Covid, and tragically died at the age of only 52. The band has tried to continue without him, and have used demos and unfinished recordings with Schlesinger on «Traces of You», making this a very emotional journey for both the band members and their fans. I didnt know any of this when I started listening to the album. It strengthens the listening experience, obviously, but the album is in any context interesting.

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Uh Oh – Patrick Watson

We’re going back to Canada and to Patrick Wilson, singer, pianist and composer whose work sits somewhere between chamber pop and indie rock. Uh Oh is the strangest album on this month’s playlist, with its many duets and almost Disneyesque sound, minimalist while at the same time songs packed in lush arrangements. There is a tragic explanation to this. Years ago Wilson completely lost his voice after a concert, and the doctors told him he would never be able to sing as before. He went into similar therapy as deep-sea divers and managed to reclaim much of his voice, but had to re-learn to use it, and accept the diminished range. By listening to Uh Oh, you wouldn’t think he needed a greater range, though, so it all ended quite well.

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West End Girl – Lily Allen

I have been waiting patiently for a new Lily Allen album, and had almost given up when West End Girl suddenly was released. And what a come-back! Critics have been almost unanimously enthusiastic, calling it one of the year’s standout pop albums and her sharpest, most focused writing in over a decade – “acid‑tongued and soft‑hearted” again, as one blogger put it. She is dealing with the infidelity and ultimate break-up of her relationship with actor David Harbour. There is more vulnerabilty and confusion and sorrow than acid in my view, but her sarcasm is never far away. But the most impressive with this album is that the songs are among the best she has ever written and produced, and West End Girl is rightly considered among the best albums of 2025. Just how good I’ll tell you closer to Christmas.

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I only have four new singles for you this time. It is not single season for obvious reasons; artists are pushing albums out for the autumn and end-of-year sale. Lisa O’Neill’s The Wind Does’nt Blow This Far Right is perhaps the most interesting, a song about man-made disasters driven by greed, fear, and lies, rather than natural ones. It is a reaction to the «unsettled times» the world is experiencing, according to O’Neill. She began writing the song in November 2017 and finished it in January 2025, a hymn for our time.

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Getz/Gilberto – Stan Getz & João Gilberto

This album was one of the first albums that got me interested in jazz and particularly latin jazz. I met Stan Getz when I was a young freelance journalist, and he gave me such a hard time because it became instantly apparent that I just didn’t know much about his music and career. I made amends after that, and have followed up on my promise to him to listen to jazz and latin. As far as I know this is one of the most sold jazz albums of all time, and with good reason. Everyone knows The Girl from Ipanema, thanks in great part to the lovely vocal from João Gilberto’s wife Astrud. She was, however, not paid much for her performance, while Getz and Gilberto became rich and famous.

https://open.spotify.com/album/73ZRKdD3Ds43IjHrhKgucY?si=_Ux-uRWuTJ-Bmibol_70sQ

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Look at Us – Sonny & Cher

It was commonplace in 1965 to fill albums with both covers and original material. Look at Us is no exception. But it was Sonny Bono’s own song, «I Got You Babe» that have survived as the classic from the album, greatly helped by the hit movie Groundhog Day that featured the song as a vital part of the plot. Cher was only 16 when she met Sonny, who was married at the time. Their at times toxic marriage has gotten a lot of attention, but when Sonny died in a skiing accident in 1998, Cher released her hit album «Believe» and dedicated it to him.

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The Art of Loving – Olivia Dean

Let’s start with a wonderful new album by young artist Olivia Dean with the soulful voice, a neo-soul album filled with exquisite compositions, performed with confidence. I love the blend of soul and pop.

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County Line – Kristina Train

Kristina Train has not released an album in years. Her 2012 Dark Black album might show up in my classic column later, that’s how good it is! She writes emotive and catchy songs in the landscape between country, pop and jazz. Her new album, County Line, is dominated by country songs, but she is pushing the boundaries of country, so listen even if country is not your cup of tea. (That goes for many new albums this month, so be warned…)

https://open.spotify.com/album/49CkInELGETtvAbQZxaSUN?si=1RLngiVzS2m9Gj9fgN6FfA

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Dim Probs – Gruff Rhys

I think this is the first ever Welsh-language album ever in my list. Even though I have a «Learn Welsh» book in my library, I have to admit I don’t get most of the Gruff Rhys’ lyrics on «Dim Probs», but it doesn’t matter much. The songs and the performance are first-class, innovative, warm and intriguing to listen to. Gruff Rhys has delighted us before, as lead singer of Super Furry Animals, but on his solo albums he pushes the limits of his music even further.

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The End Continues – Spinal Tap

Spinal Tap started out as a fictional heavy metal band, but the success of a mockumentary and album in 1984 made them stars in real life. Now Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer are senior citizens, but that hasn’t stopped them recording. Their latest album is irreverent and fun, with guest stars like Elton John, and the music is actually not half bad.

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Here For It All – Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey hasn’t retired yet, although she easily could have. Few artists have sold more records, but as with so many other succesful artists she is not only performing for the coins in the hat, it is a way of life. Here for It All gives us a very mature artist who knows what she wants. The choice of songs is surprising and refreshing. How easy it would have been to push the repeat button. I had expected a singing orgy over five octaves, but she holds back and find other values in the songs.

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I’m Only Fucking Myself – Lola Young

If you are looking for a brutally honest album, look no further. Lola Young has never held back, and she certainly doesn’t do it on her latest album. It could easily have been only self-indulgent, but this is so much more, a truly genre-bending collection of tracks, with songs filled with wit, but also extreme vulnerability and guts. If you’re sensitive to foul language, stay away.

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Indian Ocean – Frazey Ford

Canadian singer Frazey Ford has also gone solo, following years as lead singer of Be Good Tanyas. Her voice is easily recognized and it dominates the music, full of soul and warmth. This is Americana at its best, but she sticks to her formula and you may find the full album a bit repetitive.

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La meg bli ditt gjemmested – Daniela Reyes

Folk singer Daniela Reyes sticks to her formula as well, quirky and quiet songs performed in Norwegian, but with so much heart and sweetness that even if you don’t understand the lyrics I suspect you will enjoy LA meg bli ditt gjemmested (Let me be your hidingplace). And if you do get the lyrics, you are invited into a world of wonder and intimacy.

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Rainy Sunday Afternoon – The Divine Comedy

The Divine Comedy isn’t really a band. It is Neil Hannon from Northern Ireland. Why he prefers to perform as a band I don’t know, but the richness of his music truly justifies hiding behind a band name. This is sophisticated pop with meaning, often witty, equally often touching, always worth listening to.

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Songs For Other People’s Weddings – Jens Lekman

Songs for Other People’s Weddings is a narrative concept album inspired by Swedish indie singer Jens Lekman’s real-life experiences as a wedding singer. He co-wrote a book about a fictional wedding singer, and wrote fictional songs, inspired by real-life couples he had performed for. This quirky collection of songs is much more than a crazy concept, since the songs are often beautiful, funny and playful.

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Typical Forever – Olivia Rafferty

I realize this month’s picks include quite a few Americana/country albums, but it was never my intention to stick to one particular genre. The albums all deserve to be in the list, and that includes Scottish singer Olivia Rafferty’s new album, Typical Forever. There is am unexpected theme to the songs, geology. She writes cleverly about volcanoes and fossils. Even if the subject bores you (why should it?), the indie music from Rafferty is defintely worth listening to anyway.

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Wildflower – Malin Pettersen

OK. One more Americana album. But this comes highly recommended, too. Malin Pettersen blends in pop and country, and the result is an innovative and enjoyable album filled with Pettersen’s beautiful voice and her strong songwriting.

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A Wonderful Life – Tom Odell

Tom Odell is a brilliant young pianist and singer from England, already showered with awards and praise. His new album is mature and varied. He has got a sensitive style both as a pianist and singer, the result being soft, well-crafted pop .

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Some exciting singles have been released this month, promising more to come: ESC winner, JJ, with a strong follow-up single, Annie Lennox is back with a campaign song for the children of Gaza, a fun version of Mack the Knife from Rufus Wainwright, and a preview of Celeste’s new album. Among many others. Click on the cover to listen, but all tracks are also in the October list. But you know that already.

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The Beatles (White Album) – The Beatles

In 1968, The Beatles was about to break up, but they still got together and created one of their most innovative and enjoyable albums, not only from the fab four but from any artist in the history of pop music. In a way the album can be considered four solo albums with the best backing band in the world. To think that this is the band that started out with She Loves You (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah)… They have taken the audience on a tremendeous journey, and we have evolved with them. It was incredibly hard to pick songs, but if you haven’t already listened to the whole double album, you know where to start.

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Mr Tamburine Man – The Byrds

To think what the music listeners hadn’t been exposed to in 1965! The best of the Beatles hadn’t been released, Elton John, Cat Stevens, Carole King, to name a few, had not had their debut… Still, there was good music available, and The Byrds has an album hit with Mr Tambourine Man. Most Dylan afficionados couldn’t believe their ears when they heard the polished title track, but I enjoyed it, although I never became a great fan of the group. Listen and make up you own mind. It is interesting as a time stamp from the 60s.

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100 Times Around the Sun -Guy Sebastian

We’ll start in Australia, with one of the continent’s major pop stars, Guy Sebastian, who is one of many who emerged from the talent shows on TV. This is a joyful, uplifting album, a bit polished perhaps, but the quality of both the songs and the performance make him a cut above the rest of boys in mainstream pop.

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At Home – Tess Henley

I have followed Tess Henley’s releases closely. She is an old-school soul singer, but in a positive sense. The songs are fresh and modern, and I like the way she adds a jazzy feeling to many of the songs.

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Blood Red Sky – Orbits

The Norwegian trio Orbits doesn’t stick to one genre, but cherry-picks from soul, jazz and indie, into a genre of its own. Many listeners may be thrown off by the genre mix and a number of very long tracks , but to me it makes the listening experience even more interesting. I wish more artists did the same. Artists used to. (Nepotism alert: My daughter Karoline is doing the backing vocals on some of the tracks.)

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(Every day I’m) Born Again – Elvira Nikolaisen

l have always been intrigued by singer Elvira Nikolaisen’s deep alto voice. She has given us great music in the past, but decided to give music a rest for a long time. Now she is back with what has to be described as a peculiar album, very personal and perhaps a bit introverted, a bit hard to listen to in one go. But in between there are lovely tracks with great songwriting, sweet harmonies and with Elvira’s pleasing voice.

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It’s Magic – Stella Cole

There is clearly a new trend in pop music, although there is nothing new about it. Who would have believed that one of the most popular artists globally would be a singer like Laufey, who seems to have been a musical time traveller (more about her below), reimagining the music and/or style of the 30s, 40s and 50s, but making it fresh and current. In my mind, Stella Cole goes one step further, she is lending considerable more from the performances of stars before her. I still find her music exhilerating and -yes- relevant, building bridges across generations.

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A Matter of Time – Laufey

The queen of retro pop is nevertheless Icelandic Laufey (pronouced «LAY-vay,»), now one of the best-selling artists anywhere, filling stadiums all over the world. I am so bowled over by her and particularly by her new album! Many of the tracks sound like they could have been composed 50 years ago, but you’re never in doubt that this is contemporary music. The whole album is so charming, the storytelling so precise, it should be on prescription to anyone who need a mood lift.

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My Home Is Not In This World – Natalie Bergman

A third artist in this list looking back is Natalie Bergman, although she is slightly more short-sighted than Laufey and Stella Cole, only looking back a few decades for inspiration. There is a lot 60s French pop found here, but as with Laufey and Cole, you realize quickly this is contemporary pop. Not everyone will enjoy so much nostalgia on an album, but I do hope you will give all three women a chance. In this day and age it is maybe good for us to look back for inspiration, musically as well.

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SE18 – Boy George

Perhaps it is retro to listen to Boy George as well, I don’t know. But to his defense (and mine) I would say he is definitely trying to redefine himself. He has for a long time been intrugued by reggae, which is the label I can put on SE18. He does the songs impeccably, even reggae-purists must enjoy some, if not all of the album.

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There is more genre-bending in the singles list this month. Some remakes and even a remix, a hit song from the Himalayas and Lebanon, jazz, folk, indie, songtrack – what more can you ask for? I am particularly intrigued by new releases from artists who have been quiet for a while, like Tanita Tikaram, Vance Joy and Conor Oberst. All tracks are in my September list, but you can also listen to them individually below.

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Born Again – Randy Newman

A bit controversial perhaps, to present Randy Newman’s 1979 album Born Again, as a classic. It received horrible reviews when it was released, as being snide, nihilstic and inward-looking. I can see the reviewers’ points, but I still enjoy it now, and enjoyed it tremendously when it came out, mainly because it shocked my senses. Yes, he is snide, but there is warmth and laughter here as well. And Randy Newman gave us considerably more sugary songs later on, that I also enjoy. So don’t be so judging, give Born Again a chance.

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Catch Us If You Can – Dave Clark Five

Many bands tried to compete with the success of The Beatles, Dave Clark Five being one of these. Although there is a lot of charm on their success album from 60 years ago, there is no doubt that the album lacks the depth, quality and charm of the four Liverpool lads. Dave Clark Five even tried to copy The Beatles’ success as film stars. Catch Us If You Can was really a sountrack album to their music film with the same name. The film was not received well, the album sold well both in the UK and in many other countries. At least it is a trip back to music roots. Which this month’s blog has been all about….

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Coisas Naturais – Marina Sena

I have a weakness for Latin music. Brazilian artist Marina Sena’s latest album satisfies my thirst in more ways than one. She plays with the genre, steals from pop, rock, reggae, and still makes it all sounds – yes, Latin.

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Forward – The Swell Season

In 2008, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová played a musical duo in an Irish film you may have watched, Once. They won an an Oscar for one of the songs from the movie, and made a career of playing concerts, capitalizing on the success of the movie for many years. Now the duo has released a new album, their first in sixteen years. It is as gentle and tender as the albums and film music that brought them to fame.

It’s like I never left – Nectar Woode

Nectar Woode has a background from both the UK and Ghana. She went back to her father’s homeland and came back inspired and produced It’s Like I Never Left. Her EP is a lovely mix of soft jazz and soul, drawing comparisons to favourites like Lauren Hill, Corinne Bailey Rae, Amy Winehous and last month’s classic, Minnie Riperton.

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Liefde Voor Muziek 2025 – Hooverphonic

Hooverphonic needs tons of more attention and focus outside of their native Belgium. A truly classic pop and rock band, with an impressive 30 year history behind it. This album is from a recent live concert, and a new album is supposedly in its way. I have also added their exceptional song from the Eurovision Song Contest that never happened in 2020, Release Me, that should and could have won if we had escaped the pandemic…

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Moisturizer – Wet Leg

The girl band achieved tremendous success with their debut album with their feisty, punk rock album, ironic and irreverant. The same confidence is there on their second attempt. A creative and fun album that is bound to wake you up.

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Paris Amour – Keren Ann

Keren Ann is a Dutch-Israeli singer-songwriter. Her new EP includes a lovely homage to Paris, and all the tracks are in French this time. If Wet Leg woke you up, Keren Ann will calm you down.

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Pepper Tree Hill – The Boxmasters

«Pepper Tree Hill,» is a collection of songs that takes me back to the 60s and 70s. Billy Bob Thornton is the lead singer of The Boxmasters, the very same that you probably know from the movie screens. The album features guest appearances, including trumpetist Herb Albert. Get up and dance. It’s that kind of album.

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SCORPIO – Madison McFerrin

Bobby McFerrin’s (Don’t Worry Be Happy) daughter Madison is out with her second album, a true show of strength, a bold and confident album showing off her fantastic vocal capacity. This is one of the most unique releases so far this year, a mix of so many genres and still distinct and unimitable.

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The Secret of Life: Partners, Vol. 2 – Barbra Streisand

I don’t think Barbra Streisand would like to be called grand old lady, but in a way we have to accept that she has been with us for a very long time. And she hasn’t lost it. It. Her voice is still as vibrant as before. Still, she doesn’t show off, even when performing with Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande. She doesn’t have to. I love the fact that many of the tracks are unknown songs. I wish all of them would have been, though, but I still enjoy Fragile with Sting and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face with Hozier…

Think They’re Looking, Let’s Perform – Girl Group

Five girls who have attended LIPA in Liverpool, four Norwegians and one from Yorkshire, have managed to excite even Elton John with their irreverant first album. They have excited me, too, with their hilarious and stinging humour, while still giving us a great pop album. We are definitely not witnessing a new Spice Girls, but who knows what kind of success they might achieve. This is a great start.

What Ties Us Together, Will Keep Us Apart – Kira Skov

I’m normally a bit bored by soundtrack albums, but Danish singer-songwriter Kira Skov has created a truly different one, accompanying the brilliant TV series, Generationer from DR. This album stands on its own two feet (if you can say that about an album). The songs are personal and clearly related to the themes of Generationer, about families and their secrets, about hidden emotions and difficult relations, while at the same time offering well-crafted songs.

My single list this month is extensive, like a tasting menu. Hopefully many of them will evolve into albums that I can share with you later this Autumn. But for now, enjoy new tracks from old and new favourites, covering a full landscape of genres. You’ll find all the singels in the August list – or you can listen to the songs individually below.

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Doctor Hook – Dr.Hook

I grew to love this crazy album when it came out in 1971. So unpolished, sounded like it was recorded at a wild party. Which was not far from the truth: Dr. Hook was at first a bar band, and it was only after pairing up with writer and humourist Shel Silverstein that they became a worldwide success. I was lucky enough to meet them as a reporter many years later, and they hadn’t lost the touch, it was one of the most entertaining interviews I have ever done. Sylvia’s Mother became their first superhit, deservedly so.

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A World of Our Own – The Seekers

The folk band The Seekers made it (almost) to the top in 1965. They had enjoyed success before with true and honest folk music, but when they fanned out and included contemporary songs, like many of Bob Dylan’s songs, their popularity soared. I find it a bit strange to listen to the polished versions of hard-hitting protest songs and truly American songs like This Land Is Your Land, but I have grown to like it. Still, The Seekers are at their best when they do Four Strong Winds and the title track, A World of Our Own.

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American Heart – Benson Boone

Well, this wasn’t difficult to hunt out. Benson Boone’s path to fame has followed what has become a traditional route, building a following on TikTok, then move on to traditional media, making it on American Idol and moving on to superstardom, at least for a while. Still, I have enjoyed his sophomore album, maybe because it is summer, maybe because he undoubtedly has a brilliant voice, or maybe he deserves to be listened to, Give it a shot.

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Aperture – The Head and the Heart

The indie folk band The Head and the Heart has been recording for 14 years, and this is their sixth album. The sound is rich and melodious, lots of energy and joy here, even when the themes are more somber. I particularly like the mix of male and female voices, adding to the richness.

In medias res – Zimmermann

Zimmermann followed a similiar path as Mr Boone, using TikTok to build a follwoing, but strictly more locally, you might say. Singing in Norwegian will rarely give you a great international breakthrough, but I suspect he’s happy with the success he has achieved in Scandinavia with his down-to-earth pop, and poetic lyrics. I hope even non-Norwegian readers will enjoy his sound.

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I Quit – HAIM

This album wasn’t difficult to hunt for either. It was most likely a brilliant move by sisters Este, Danielle and Alana Haim to release their new album in the middle of the summer. But it wouldn’t have made much of a difference if the album itself weren’t good. Luckily it is. If you’re looking for versatile pop and rock, you have come to the right album. I feel as if I am taken on a musical journey, performed with utter confidence and honesty.

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Let It Shine Redux – Jeremy Fisher

I continue to give you stuff I normally wouldn’t give you. This time a re-recorded album from 2004, stripped-down and accoustic this time around. I have to admit: I didn’t know until I had grown fond of Fisher’s «new» album that is was in fact songs from 2004. There is a freshness here, the songs are bouncy and hummable. My first thought was to go back to the original, but I won’t. The redux is good enough for me, perfect for my summer mood.

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Milk for Ulcers – Sophie Auster

Sophie Auster is probably not happy about all reviews and interviews starting with her family connection. Yes, she is the daughter of authors Paul Auster and Siri Hustedt (two of my favourite authors, by the way). She – and her music and her career – can stand on her own two feet, as this great album shows. It is varied and raw, honest and a bit painful pop music, but it is musically accomplished and enjoyable.

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Que savons-nous de nous? – Léonard Lasry

Léonard Lasry encompasses the contemporary French chanson, with his deep, expressive voice. On his new album, recorded during the course of 10 years, every track is a duet, some with stars of the cinema, some with great French voices of pop and rock. It is an impressive collection.

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Remembering Now – Van Morrison

Van Morrison is back, and he’s in a good mood! Gone is his whining and complaining of his pandemic releases. Now he is writing love songs again, even a song called «Back to Writing Love Songs». He is looking back at important people and moments in his life, with great and upbeat melodies and ballads. What a thrill, probably his best album in many years.

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Rigmor på svenska – Rigmor Gustafson

Well, we have done French, we have done Norwegian, here comes a Swedish-language album. And if you’re not multi-lingual, I am sure you still will enjoy the music. Gustafson normally records in English, but this album is a homage to folk melodies from her own country and in her mother tongue. Not all songs fit her well, but the bunch I have chosen for you, gives you the best from her collection.

I have lots of interesting single material for you this month, a single released in support of Greenpeace by Jacob Collier and AURORA, a great new single from The Divine Comedy, and a release from Velvet Sundown, a band that is 100% AI-created. We will get more music like this in the future, but we should always remember that this is music stealing inspiration from real musicians. I have added Velvet Sundown only as a curiosity. In the future I will continue to give you music created by humans – as long as I know it is created by humans.

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Stay In Love – Minnie Riperton

Minnie Riperton had one of the most amazing voices in pop and soul music. Stay in Love was her first attemt at tapping into the disco movement, and although the album didn’t sell as well as previous releases, I still think it is a lovely collection of tracks, showing off her versatility and craft. It was released a year after her fight against breast cancer started, a fight that she sadly lost two years later. To think how many female voices we have lost early over the years: not only Minnie, but Eva Cassidy, Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston, Janis Joplin and Kirsty McCall. The least we can do is remembering them by continuing to listen to their music.

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Animal Tracks – The Animals

In 1965, rock bands tended to release albums with a mix of original and original material. This second album from The Animals was no exception. Eric Burdon was the lead vocalist, but Alan Price put quite a mark on many of the tracks, with his energetic and original keyboard playing. The album is more interesting than good, in my view. Strangely they didn’t include their greatest hit ever, «House of the Rising Sun» on the UK version, that was released as a single only.

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In between the album tracks, here are this month’s promising singles, some from upcoming albums, like Van Morrison Barbra Streisand and Matt Berninger. Some old favourites of mine are out with singles, like Delicatessen andLissie (with two). And some new acquaintances, like Rosie Goodby, The Boxmasters, dePresno and Thee Sacred Souls.

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