Gravitonas
Black Ceremony

The Importance Of being Alexander Bard, part 3: "You've got to live and let go, leave the past behind and take this moment to show just who you are, can't you see this love is liberating your soul".

With the BWO chapter definitively closed, Alexander Bard reinvents himself once again, giving life to a new project for the '10s of the third millennium. The basic formula is exactly the same as always, but the intentions, style, and modus operandi change once again, much more radically than it might seem. This time the old fox forms a duo, teaming up with singer Andreas Ohrn (talented and stylish) and inaugurating a new commercial strategy: from 2010 to today, no full-length albums, only singles and EPs like this "Black Ceremony" from 2012, a less demanding approach, perhaps deliberately biding time in wait for new prospects that may develop. However, the true novelty of Gravitonas lies in the approach: in his previous reincarnations, Alexander Bard never took himself completely seriously, even with Vacuum the scenic and theatrical aspects always took precedence. This time, however, he decidedly shifts to a more sober style, not more mature because he's always been mature, an intelligent, modern, and elegant electropop, without, however, renouncing the communicative immediacy and simplicity that has always characterized him.

No need to beat around the bush, Alexander Bard without kitsch loses much of his charm, and I certainly wouldn’t recommend starting with Gravitonas and this EP to those who don’t know him. On the other hand, he is capable of inspiring loyalty, almost devotion (he’s a cult artist for this reason too), and those who already know and love him will have no difficulty appreciating him even in this more serious guise. Among the six songs of "Black Ceremony," "Someday Someone" and "The Pain We Love To Hide" stand out for their representation of the new course, two simple and sincere ballads, without literary quirks or other special effects, with engaging melodies, well-constructed and well-interpreted by the excellent Andreas Ohrn. The class is always crystal clear, and the choice to leave the energy and immediacy of europop unchanged is a solid guarantee against any risk of cloyingness and sluggishness. Just an Alexander Bard at half capacity like this is enough to sweep away Hurts, Bastille, Lana Del Rey, and the entire endless throng of inept and overhyped newcomers. Not that I needed confirmation to ascertain it, but here it is, sunny and evident. Also decidedly enjoyable is "When I Call Your Name", an excellent synth-pop single with great impact and a modern edge, as well as the midtempos "Solitaire" and "Live And Let Go", especially the former with its intense and very cinematic atmosphere.

"Sacrifice" finally deserves a separate discussion: it is a new makeover of the mythological hit "Crucified" of AOLian memory, and so far nothing strange: the reinterpretation is excellent, and after all with that base starting point it is practically impossible to go wrong, a nice simple and pulsating rhythm, another beautiful interpretation, and the evergreen melody does the rest, just for enjoyment there is also a little guitar solo at the end, well done bravo encore. The truly intriguing aspect of "Sacrifice" is what happened afterward: "Black Ceremony" is from 2012, in 2013 "Big Battle Of Egos" was released, a best of the Army Of Lovers containing among other things "Signed On My Tattoo", a nice unreleased single featuring Anders Ohrn, while this year saw "People Are Lonely", a Gravitonas single where Dominika Peczynski and Jean-Pierre Barda return the favor. It so happens that I quite like both songs, and combining the style and cleanliness of Gravitonas with the theatricality and glamour of AOL would truly be a perfect closing of the circle, creating a fantastic quartet, the first and only supergroup able to capture my attention. Will we ever see the official birth of the marvelous Armytonas? Fingers crossed and pray to Aphrodite.

Much wishful thinking! Such speculations! So hopeful!