EL/NeUe – Krank (Album - Kulturinstutisjonen Piivv)

Genre/Influences: Experimental, New-Wave.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: “Krank” is the first physical release by Norwegian formation EL/NeUe in 34 years. The band doesn’t release new work on a regular basis, but has now released an opus of eleven songs. EL/NeUe is driven by Askild Hagen (vocals, synth, bass) and Og Håkon Johnson (guitars, bass, synth) while Liv Anna Hagen contributed as backing vocalist on two songs.

Content: It’s pretty hard to defy the sound universe of this formation. It’s a versatile production, which is mainly driven by Electronics, but still features guitar playing. The songs are switching reverie and sonic mayhem, pure electro-Minimalism and good-old New-Wave reminiscences. Most of the vocals have been sung in their Mother tongue in a rather whispering way.

+ + + : The main strength of this work is its atypical approach. EL/NeUe definitely sounds like a sonic trip mixing different influences. My favorite aspect is the deep, vibrating bass lines.

– – – : I don’t know what to think of this band; I don’t have the feeling they’re taking themselves that serious, but result isn’t always that exciting.

Conclusion: EL/NeUe is maybe somewhat renown in their homeland, but I’m afraid it will be hard to catch the attention of a wider audience.

Best songs: “Så Fant De Ikke På Noe Mer Å Si”, “
(I Wish I Was) Billie Eilish’ Grandmother (Album Edit)”.

Rate: 5.

Artist: www.kampenkontor.no / www.facebook.com/NeueEL

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