II – Innlandet

Let’s start with a down-to-earth cover album, performed by the piano/vocal duo Innlandet. Ingrid Olava & Andreas Ulvo give us a different take on well-known tunes, stripped down to the essential.

And the Noise settles – Isbells

Let’s remain in the slow and beautiful sphere, with Belgian indie band Isbells and their newest release. I had not heard about the band before, now I am enthralled by music slowing down your pulse. Their 2018 release was called Looking for the Beauty in the World, which could have been an appropriate title for this album as well.

Critical Thinking – Manic Street Preachers

Turning the metronome speed up a few natches we find happy pop rock from veterans Manic Street Preachers. The group hasn’t changed much over the years, and this their 15th studio album still offers the quality stadium sound of previous releases, solid performances throughout.

Dancing Headlights – Sivert Høyem

Madrugada vocalist Høyem is out with a new solo album, with a timeless feel to it. This is solid rock built around Høyem’s impressive voice. Get your air guitar and hairbrush mic out! After a few run-throughs you will be familiar with these tracks

Hopeless Nostalgic – Savoir Faire

Savoir Faire’s music is really hard to define, «retro» perhaps? No doubt there is jazz, rock, drama & darkness in there, but also lyricism.

HurryUp Tomorrow – The Weeknd

Is The Weeknd a pop genius? Well, with this album it is harder to argue against than ever before. Most tracks are brilliant contemporary pop compositions, perfectly executed and performed. My only silly regret is that there are maybe too many tracks, making it hard to get a grasp of the album as one entity. Not that it matters.

Slowly, It Dawns – Victoria Canal

Moving into the department of guilty pleasures, here is a sultry album from debutante Victoria Canal, with latin undertones but still undeniably pop music at its best. I can’t stop thinking this music is clever as well as oh so pleasing.

Sofia Valdés – Sofia Valdés

OK, so we’ll remain in guilty pleasureland for one more album. Panamanian singer Sofia Valdés has released her second album, which is like a perfect meal, spicy, sweet and sour. No-one can doubt her latin roots , but how she pushes the limits..!

Mcgear – Mike McGear

In my youth I was lucky enough to spend some time with Mike McGear, Paul McCartney’s brother, interviewing him in his home. His self-titled album was produced at the time, together with Paul and Wings, and is such an undervalued album that I wanted to bring it to your attention. In more ways than one it sounds like the lost Wings album. Mike is also famous for being a member of comedy band Scaffold, and brings a good portion of fun into his own album.

Kinks – The Kinks

Yes, it is sixty years ago the world was exposed to The Kinks for the first time. Although there are classic rock hits like «You Really Got Me» on the album, I still think this is more interesting than brilliant. True Kinks brilliance came later. But as with Beatles for Sale, «Kinks» foreshadowed greatness, even though most tracks were written and performed in daddy’s garage. (And, as a footnote, I have added Swedish band Hep Stars hit from the same period, Cadillac. Not to be confused with Kinks’ song. One of the first record I fell in love with)

Family Tree – Joe Bel

Canadian Joe Bel is a new discovery for me. This is her second album, very accomplished in my view, and covering a wide range of genres, from pop and indie to folk.

Flying on Abraham – Diane Birch

A wide range of genres also represent Diane Birch, although jazz undertones are everywhere, maybe somewhat related to Carole King, as one reviewer rightly suggested. She has gone under my radar until now, although she started recording as fas back as 2009.

Magpie – Peach Pit

I said there were notable exceptions to melancholy in this month’s playlist, and Peach Pit offer some of that with their energetic and melodic indie music.

Manning Fireworks – MJ Lenderman

MJ Lenderman offers folk- infused rock’n’roll in the proud tradition of Neil Young and other similar guitar-centered artists.

Memoir of a Sparklemuffin – Suki Waterhouse

Suki Waterhouse seems to never stand still, she has a very successful model career behind her, even an acting career, and then she decided to get into music. Makes sense. Now she has released her second album of 18 (!) tracks, an impressive collection of lighthearted pop songs.

My Method Actor – Nilüfer Yanya

I can’t make head or tails of Nilüfer Yanya’s music. Normally I like artists that covers a variety of music, but there is something directionless about this album. Still, I have included a couple of tracks, because I also like to be surprised, and she keeps on surprising me throughout the album. Give it a shot.

Parenòstic – Anna Ferrer

And now something completely different. Folk music from Menorca, courtesy of brilliant, expressive singer Anna Ferrer. Meditative, simple and oh- so beautiful. Give that a shot, too.

Vicious Creature – Lauren Mayberry

Lead singer of Chvrches has created an exciting solo album with some memorable pop songs, lots of energy and sophistication.

Yonder Book I – Jacob Banks

Jacob Banks – what a voice, and what a performer. I have not seen him live, but I understand he is awesome. This man also knows his beats; Yonder Book is full of it.

It’s Not Me It’s You – Lily Allen

This 2012 album is as much fun today as when it was released. Lily Allen defined cheekiness and girl power, and complacent men full of themselves were the main target. Still, there is also vulnerability in Lily Allen’s lyrics, at least some of the time.

Beatles for Sale – The Beatles

I couldn’t take more of the mid 1970s with Bay City Rollers and the like, so as an experiment I have jumped a further ten years back, introducing my new column «60 Years Ago». And what better than to start with The Beatles and their For Sale album, with a number of songs that are now evergreens, like Eight Days a Week and No Reply. My favourite Beatles period followed this album, starting with Sgt. Pepper, but I just loved their take on classic rock’n’roll like Rock’n’roll Music. Better than the originals. (I couldn’t resist adding Long Tall Sally to the list, my favourite cover by the Beatles ever…)

Linda Dawn: Eleventh Hour

We’re hitting off with 70s funk and soul – and delicious vocals from debutante Lynda Dawn. It is so tastefully done, her voice reminds me of sadly deceased Minnie Ripperton. I was such a great fan of her.

Rogê: Curyman II

We’re back to the samba and to the delicious music of Brazil. Rogê doesn’t stick with the obvious; he is covering the whole field of latin music and adds his own.

Rose Cousins: Denouement

This is a mellow EP, with songs in minor for the most part. It is beautifully executed, though, emotional and with a sense of truth to all that is said and sung.

Joan Armatrating: How Did This Happen and What Does It Now Mean

She’s in her seventees and has released more that 20 albums, but she doesn’t relent. The songs are better and catchier than ever, and she has prodced the album herself. So much for retirement.

Wallice: The Jester

The second debut album this month, from singer songwriter Wallice from Los Angeles. With her playful lyrics and melodies this is a fun album to listen to in the pop/indie genre.

Father John Misty: Mahashmashana

A new epic album from one of the most talented artists living today, so confident and powerful as pop and rock music can be. Timeless in its expression. I have loved so much of what he has produced before, but this could easily be his best album. Yet.

Myriam Gendron: Mayday

Canadian folk singer Myriam Gendron is out with her third album, her most accessible till now. Her deep and rich voice gives us songs that seem to have been around forever, whilst still feeling fresh. The music is sad and beautiful and hopeful, including the instrumental tracks. Just lovely.

Clara Luciani: Mon Sang

In France Luciani is a massive star and many of you may have seen her perform at the reopening of Notre Dame. Her new album offers soft pop in droves, but very catchy and at times even touching. The album was written during her pregnancy, which may have added a layer of sweetness.

Kim Deal: Nobody Loves You More

The title track of this complicated album by Kim Deal, is worth the whole listening experience, a slow, seductive track with Kim Deal’s voice (perhaps) feigning innocence. Many of you might enjoy the whole album, but too much experimentation for my taste. Still, a number of very strong tracks. These are of course in the playlist.

Nerina Pallot: A Psalm For Emily Salvi

Nerina Pallot has become a kind of female Elton John, with her well-crafted piano pop. The only real difference is the level of fame the two of them enjoy. Pallot has her devoted fanbase, incuding me (and hopefully many of you), and keeps releasing one brilliant album after another. Musicians line to perform on her albums, but that doesn’t bring fame. Not that she seeks it, in interviews she describes herself as perfectly happy in the shadows of the business.

Ben Folds: Sleigher

Another artist who keeps churning out great multi-genre music is Ben Folds. His Christmas album is very different from most December releases, jazzy, with entertaining lyrics and without many standards. There is Christmas spirit in there if you just listen close enough, but it is a fun album nevertheless.

Michael Kiwanuka: Small Changes

Michael Kiwanuka has an impressive back catalogue, and here comes another accomplished album, with relaxed singer songwriter pop, and with songs that grow on you through every listen. Kiwanuka creates a certain atmosphere in my ears every time he starts performing.

St. Lenox: Ten Modern American Work Songs

Now to the strangest album of the month. St. Lenox wordy lyrics can be a bit much at times, but he forces you to listen to his ramblings on life in general and work life in particular. His style is highly original, there is a message at the core of each track, and everything, from arrangements and vocal performance, is built around that message.

The Mummers: Tale to Tell

This is the newest of all classic albums I have introduced you to. In fact, I discovered the album as part of the work for this blog, and I have kept listening to it for more than 10 years, also waiting for new music from the band. Just after the release of Tale to tell, Mark Horwood, a key member of the band, comitted suicide, a horrible tragedy for both the band and for listeners. Hopefully more music will come our way, but until then enjoy this fabulous album, particularly the silver voice of Raissa Khan-Panni and the exquisite brass band arrangements that is the band’s foremost trademark.

The Lemon Twigs: A Dream Is All We Know

Brian and Michael D’Addario, the brothers behind pop sensations The Lemon Twigs, are back with a new album, filled to the brim with enthusiastic new pop music, sharing the style of Beach Boys and Beatles and other classic bands. A Dream Is All We Know is not as faultless as last year’s Everything Harmony, but most albums recorded this year would fail when compared to that classic.

Nala Sinephro: Endlessness

Jazz virtuoso Nala Sinephro has created an album of soundscapes for you, an album you could easily turn to when you need some space in life and just want to get away from it all. The Guardian calls it «mystical jazz», and you may choose to listen carefully to all the wonderful turns of the music, or just let it flow all over you.

Terje Formoe: Et rop om kjærlighet

Terje Formoe has for decades thrilled children and parents alike with his amazing theatre and film Captain Sabertooth universe. I have had the pleasure of cooperating with him as co-producer for one of his films. But Terje is also a sensitive and creative composer and singer of pop and folk, in Norwegian. His latest album is by far his best, with more intricate melodies and personal lyrics than every before.

Orla Gartland: Everybody Needs A Hero

Irish Orla Gartland is back with another energetic and oh-so-sophisticated album, her second. Gartland has, however, been at it since she was 14, when she started posting songs on YouTube. These days we are definitely listening to a mature, full-fledged artist, a great songwriter with her own cheeky and inimitable style.

Lady Gaga: Harlequin

Another artist who is totally in control of her own career is Lady Gaga. Her musical versility is well-known, from electropop to jazz. She is the manifestation of what this blog is all about: don’t limit yourself musically (or in any other way, for that matter.) Harlequin is a playful album of standards, accompanying the motion picture Joker: Folie à Deux, with a curious collection of songs, from When The Saints Come Marching In to That’s Life. I enjoyed every second of it.

Sarah Blasko: I Just Need To Conquer This Mountain

Sarah Blasko performs pop music for grown ups, there are no frills around her music. It is serious and performed with broad strokes, often with elaborate orchestra arrangements and with an intensity that is infectious. Australians love their Blasko; it is about time the rest of the world get a proper sense of this unique artist.

Tami Neilson: Neilson sings Nelson

Let’s take a quick trip across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand, there we’ll find Tami Neilson, a truly versatile singer, mastering a number of musical genres equally well. She is a great admirer of Willie Nelson (who isn’t) and decided to record an album with his songs. The result is remarkable and shows off the skill and talent of both artists.

Ollee Owens: Nowhere to Hide

When you enter Ollee Owens’ web site, her pottery and jewellery are offered side by side to her latest album. There’s no hypocrisy about Owens, what you hear is what you get. Nowehere to Hide offers true and uncomplicated blues and spirituals performed in a pure form, like it was supposed to.

Mariama Ndure: Rituals

This album offers true world music. Mariama Ndure is a Norwegian artist born to Gambian parents, and she brings all her influences from her two cultures into this highly wide-ranging, but oh so personal album. I only knew Mariama from her children’s concerts with my daughter Karoline. Listening to Rituals I was taking into a whole new universe of African folk, modern jazz, and even poetry.

Eliane Elias: Time and Again

Eliane Elias was considered a wonderkid when she started performing as no more than a child. Now she is 64 and has released more than 20 albums, both as a singer, a pianist and band leader, sometimes all of it at the same time. Her full, laid-back voice is an invitation into Brazilian and Latin jazz, and her latest album shows off all her strengths and why I just never tire of the bossa nova.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: Wild God Australian artist Nick Cave hasn’t always been a performer of happy music. And one could be fooled by his claim that Wild God was written and performed during a truly happy period for him and his band. «We’ve all had too much sorrow, now it is time for joy.» he sings on «Joy». And I am converted. In fact, I keep listening to this remarkable album, and it actually makes me, yes, happy, despite its darker tones.

Radka Toneff & Steven Dobrogosz: Fairytales

Like too many other young artists, Radka Toneff died very young. She managed to record a number of albums before she died, Fairytales being the most famous and with the broadest reach. Steve Dobrogosz has continued to record, as listeners of this blog know well. Fairytales was for me the gateway to songs like Moon is a Hard Mistress and My Funny Valentine. Radka Toneff’s vulnerability shines through her renditions, and nobody can emulate her performance in my view.

Bay City Rollers: Rollin’

What has been amazing to discover going back 50 years to no. 1’s at that time, is how many releases really have withstood the ravages of time. Rollin’ by the Bay City Rollers is not one of them ( and the same goes for the cover photo). Still, they were incredibly popular among the youngest listeners with their chewing gum pop. I have left a few songs in the playlist; it is still pop music history.