"I throw myself from heights that used to scare me," sings Sigrid Solbakk Raabe in "Don't Kill My Vibe," which she co-wrote with Martin Sjølie. This fundamental, newfound self-confidence and an experience of one's own maturation and vital identity form the core of the work. The narrator's voice no longer allows itself to be limited by its surroundings. It is […]
Ola Kvernberg is much more than a fiddler, although the general public may primarily associate him with that. But Kvernberg is just as much an outstanding composer. He has written music for both his own solo releases and for film productions, and he can also point to both Spellemannpriser and Amandaprisen for his compositions. The solo album […]
Eivind Øygarden, better known as Ivan Ave, has become a recognized name among Norwegian hip hop connoisseurs, even though he debuted his album under his own name as recently as 2016. With his 2017 album Every Eye, he proves once again that he is stylish and steady. Here he combines American West Coast harmonica and smooth jazz on the one hand with […]
“To those who don’t have any hope anymore/You who need a glimmer of light and need it now,” sings Marthe Wang on the album Ut og se noge andt, released in 2017. These lines seem to sum up the driving force behind Marthe Wang’s creative musical work. She is a brilliant exponent of modern Norwegian pop music. The album oozes quality, but it is […]
This year's winning work in the EDVARD Prize's contemporary category clearly guides the ear towards which sound and musical ideas will play out. The composer has an exceptionally good grasp of the framework within which these ideas will operate. The work both establishes itself and develops carefully in its beginning with an effortless ease. When this music takes its time, […]