Espen Lind
April

And in 2005, Espen with ice-colored eyes from his Norway returns.

Although he's never truly stopped entirely (he is noted for having been awarded for a duet with someone named Sissel Kyrkjebø in the song “Where the last ones go”, very beautiful… but who is she??), this “April” has a more European vibe, even though I don't think it was ever released in Italy.

Always written, arranged, and produced by Espen himself, it follows in the footsteps of “Red” but comes across as a more mature work (inevitably, I would add). The lead single is “Unloved”, with his promotional performances noted on various Nordic TV shows. It's obviously a pop piece but without that commercial air which, frankly, has never been a characteristic of this songwriter (otherwise, I wouldn't be here boring you by talking about him). It’s a somewhat heartfelt ballad with voice and piano, (“you’ll never see how it is like to be unloved”) that, like “When Susannah cries”, revisits the theme of abandonment but this time told in the first person. Okay, not very original, but the quality of the piece is such that one can forgive the somewhat overused topic.
Followed by “Look like her”, a track I would define as summery and fresh, with guitars marking a cheerful little pop tune that feels like a car racing in the sun toward fiery vacation shores and freedom. Lind's voice has also matured, no longer hiding in the falsetto that was abundant in “Red”. The difference in tone is pleasantly noticeable and enjoyable to listen to.

An album overall neither remarkable nor lacking, without claims of exceptional originality but also without the traits we come to despise in various pop-teen-idols: Espen Lind offers us what he knows how to do, entirely crafted by him, not hiding behind imposing management and without pretending to dictate terms in look and trend (which in my opinion, has always served to conceal from the eyes of young fans the musical lack of various Britneys and Lees), only presenting himself to us with his guitar as if to say “if you want, listen to me; if you don't, that's fine too” with a discretion typical of his land. Other interesting tracks are “Life will turn around” joyful and full of violins, “Pride” (with piano accompaniment returning) and the final “Movie star”.

Overall, there is no track that disappoints or sounds off, they all blend together to form a CD that, in my opinion, represents an ideal background for leisurely car rides or relaxed baths, all those moments in short where what we ask from music is companionship, but not too intrusive.