Anni Frid Lyngstad
Something's Going On

THE REVIEW

"Something's Going On" (1982) is to be considered as a record that had a quite significant impact in the pop-rock world of the early '80s. The first English-language solo LP for Frida is part of a small group of records that, at that time, were bringing new sounds and new recording techniques to the forefront, such as "Face Value" by Phil Collins and "Peter Gabriel" by Peter Gabriel.

Partially recorded in digital, "Something's Going On" can boast a prestigious group of people who worked on its production, from producer Hugh Padgham, who turned everything he worked on into gold during that period, to Phil Collins. The drummer was strongly wanted for the production of the album by Frida after she was particularly impressed by the personal themes he addressed in his solo debut in 1981 with "Face Value." The work was put into production at the legendary Polar Studios in Stockholm and then completed under the supervision of George Martin and Paul McCartney at the Air Studios in London. The first single chosen was one of the tracks that would become a symbol of the new decade, "I Know There's Something Going On", and it immediately became a hit. The gated reverb on the drum sounds opens the track, Deryl Stuermer's distorted guitar enters, and it then leads with a slow progression to the chorus where Phil Collins is engaged in the backing vocals. The song is characterized by a cold, detached sound, contrasting with much of the sunny production of ABBA. "You Know What I Mean" is the tribute to Phil Collins, a delicate cover embellished by the opening of the harp and an effective orchestral arrangement in the background. "Here We'll Stay" is the duet with Collins that closes the work, a pleasant disco track featuring Phil's standout drumming.

The desire to produce an engaging pop-rock makes "Something's Going On" very enjoyable, as sensed from the very first notes of the dynamic "Tell Me It's Over", and it's even more appreciated in the beautiful "Threnody". The sound is modern and still relevant today, which contributes to its easy climb up the sales charts worldwide. For the Norwegian Anni Frid, the illegitimate daughter of a German soldier (in Norway, the "war children" born from the union between Norwegians and Nazi soldiers during the occupation are still discriminated against today), it was an unexpected success, and even today, her "Something's Going On" is a work to be used as a reference for those who venture into the challenging art of pop music.