Stilla Havet – Brinnande Horisont (Album – Novoton)
Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, wave-pop.
Format: Digital, vinyl.
Background/Info: This is the second album by the Swedish electro-pop project Stilla Havet. The band claims to mix the dark electronics of today with the ‘80s drama and the comforting melodies of pop music.
Content: “Brinnande Horisont” is clearly inspired by 80s electro-wave music. It also sounds pretty pop-driven. All the songs are sung in the band’s Mother tongue, which is for sure the main characteristic of the band. Some cuts have something electro-rock like.
+ + + : The retro touch of the work, which also is a characteristic of Novoton, will for sure appeal to nostalgic 80s pop lovers. The artwork also looks pretty 80s-like. The production has something evasive while the best cuts are the most ‘classic’ ones featuring an explicit melody line. The Swedish vocals are an essential aspect you gone like or hate, but I like it for the passionate interpretation.
– – – : Despite the band’s efforts this album is missing a true sound DNA. It all sounds like a déjà-vu effect while I’m also missing a hit.
Conclusion: Sweden remains one of the most important countries for electro-pop music although this album is not exactly the most exciting one.
Best songs: “Enfant En Cage”, “Hjärstopp”, “Yoko”.
Rate: (6).
Artist: www.facebook.com/stillahavetmusik
Label: www.novoton.se / www.facebook.com/Novoton
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I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
