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THE REVIEW
“Finally!!”
This was the first thing I thought right after reading in Rumore that their second work would soon come to light. I already had a sly smile on my face, the kind that helps you get excited about things you enjoy, when my subconscious, shaped and carved by many music disappointments, fiercely warned me that it was their fateful second work and advised me not to get my hopes up. I was talking about “them”: yes, Svein and Torbjorn, I picture them in a cabin surrounded by forests and fjords with mixers and keyboards nodding their heads, with poor Leeno in a corner and splinters digging under his nails; I refuse the image of them glossed and groomed, creatures of MTV. These Norwegians have created a masterpiece, and it is right to expect a sequel!
I think these things when the download on the mule finishes and the green-colored bar has never been so beautiful, I quickly unzip the archive and winamp plays: I read the tracklist, “TRIUMPHANT” is the first, never was a name more fitting. It is a TRIUMPH of chills on arms and neck, after two minutes I already know it's what I wanted, the sequel!!
Paresthesia: do you ever get the strange, almost paranormal feeling that something is exactly what you wanted, or does it ever happen that you know with mathematical certainty that an album or film will be special after tasting just a tiny piece of it? THERE YOU GO!!
ONLY THIS MOMENT awakens me from these thoughts, it's the second track and it feels like a dream; the sound of Röyksopp is a trademark, I think this is the single and I already imagine the video in heavy rotation, the usual mix of downtempo rhythms, dreamy voices (the female one by Kate Havnenik is beautiful), and refined melodies.
The entire album flows beautifully, I find all the elements of the MORNING MELODY, ballads at a heartbeat rhythm, sweet digressions of minimal electronics, chill-out at cafe del mar, practically an entire sample for the perfect representative of electronic music. The real masterpieces are ALPHA MALE, which starts under a vacuum and then emerges into the open air and explodes in a sonic compactness that amazes and moves, and BEAUTIFUL DAY WITHOUT YOU, the example of a ballad I mentioned earlier, full of sentiment and lightness.
The first listen is over, I am in ecstasy. I curse myself for even remotely daring to think it could be a flat, useless, second-rate album. I go in search of the release date in stores, IT’S IN TWO WEEKS!! NOOOOOO I want it nowww!! I console myself knowing that whoever gets their hands on The Understanding will be lucky because they will have understood that dreams have no boundaries and that clichés mean nothing.
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Summary by Bot
The reviewer excitedly praises Röyksopp's second album, The Understanding, calling it a masterpiece and a perfect sequel. The album's dreamy downtempo rhythms, refined melodies, and standout tracks like 'Alpha Male' and 'Beautiful Day Without You' create an emotional and immersive listening experience. The review captures the joy and anticipation surrounding the album's release.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 Giubbo
If all commercial music were like this, I'd be fixed on Radio Deejay even when washing the cat.
'Only This Moment' is radio power at 100,000 Watts, musical persuasion capable of entrancing even a conservatory student.
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.
