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THE REVIEW
Expected for the Röyksopp to come out with an album like this after selling 800,000 copies of Melody A.M. Yes, because if their debut played a bit on the fact of agreeing with everyone, now they deliver an unabashedly commercial one.
By much.
So what?
No, because if all commercial music were like this, I'd be fixed on Radio Deejay even when washing the cat.
The truth is they did meticulous work, crystal-clear in making their intentions understood.
They changed the register: it goes from the "north" of the aurora borealis of Melody A.M., to the summer of The Understanding: sun, salt, sex, and stars in the sky above a peaceful sea at night.
An album for the summer of 2005 then? Actually no. Because now the "B-side" of the album intervenes: that shy and hardly manifest nostalgia; that subdued and elegant romanticism.
They had already pointed this out previously, but their greatness lies in having maintained this state of the soul, even after overturning the atmospheres.
Not an album for this summer then, but for a past summer, the most intense one you have experienced. An album of memories of that time, so warm by day and cool by night. The summer when you repeatedly found yourself gazing at all those constellations and feeling happy.
The single "only this moment" is radio power at 100,000 Watts, musical persuasion capable of entrancing even a conservatory student. The kind that if you hear this track in the background at a party while talking to a girl for the first time, you'll surely fall in love with her, no matter what she's babbling about.
Actually, the entire CD is like this, the soundtrack to a midnight swim between you and a mermaid.
Tangible sweaty upbeat but also ethereal musings, abduction by the sea breeze.
The only black sheep piece is "sombre detune", which has the menacing pace of a hidden murderer attacking. I was just listening to it in the car with the windows down when I stop at a stop sign, where there's a friend of mine on a bike. After a few seconds, he turns disgusted, recognizes me, and says "damn, I feel the bass in my feet. It couldn’t be anyone but you”. Yes, because this track has bass that seems to come from the Mariana trench, I told him.
For this music, you need a good deal of sensitivity, but to fully appreciate it, you need to be a bit of a badass inside (outside is unnecessary).
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Summary by Bot
Röyksopp's second album, The Understanding, marks a shift from their debut's balanced approach to a more unabashedly commercial sound. The album balances upbeat summer vibes with subtle nostalgia and elegant romanticism, crafting a soundtrack for cherished memories. Standout track 'Only This Moment' showcases their musical persuasion and radio appeal. Except for the darker 'Sombre Detune,' the album is a compelling blend of energy and ethereal moods.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Röyksopp
Röyksopp are a Norwegian electronic music duo formed by Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland, active since the late 1990s. They are known for melodic electronic productions spanning downtempo, synthpop and electropop, and for tracks such as “Eple” and “Only This Moment.”15 Reviews
Other reviews
By GK
This Norwegian duo has created a masterpiece, and it is right to expect a sequel!
I am in ecstasy. I curse myself for even remotely daring to think it could be a flat, useless, second-rate album.
By JULIANHAMPSHIRE
"The Understanding does not bore and manages to deliver truly great emotions even to those who aren’t exactly fans of the genre like me."
"Sweet words of love whispered over a breathtaking keyboard base; later, the piano will continue to take center stage."
By AR (Anonima Recensori)
The singer’s voice is magnificent, and their sound is truly something exceptional.
It’s the most emblematic electronic group after Depeche Mode.
By Toni Bancae
"One of the major strengths that make this album fantastic from many points of view is the variety between one track and another highlighted by frequent sound changes."
"The Understanding remains a complete album from a sonic point of view where Röyksopp demonstrate they are one of the best groups in the world of electronic music in recent years."
By Darius
Worthy successor of Melody A.M. and a cunning agreement between experimentation, avant-garde and “pop”.
The Understanding still sounds today, in a virtually DJ-laden sound scenario, an “underground” disc, a small underground treasure box crafted in an environment that doesn’t seem much inclined to hits but rather to the good production of good producers.
