Sondre Lerche
Two Way Monologue

THE REVIEW

Monday morning, 9 AM. I walk into my trusted shop and this record falls into my hands. The cover, a black-and-white background with the somewhat bewildered face of this young guy from Bergen slapped on it and an intriguing title inspire me quite a bit. Barely time to reflect, and I'm already queuing at the checkout.

Twelve catchy tracks that get into your head after a couple of listens and never leave. A springtime album that, with its immediacy and essential musical structures, makes me appreciate the beauty of sunny days like this more than ever. The melody is constantly fueled by a guitar with an evident pop/folk influence that links perfectly with the piano, drums, and some brass instruments. Without ever overdoing it or weighing down the rhythm, though.

The themes addressed in the lyrics seem mostly related to the author's loves and memories. In some pieces, there is also room for melancholy and insecurity. As is only right. This work is rather organic and homogeneous, which can be summed up in these few lines, and I cannot help but recommend its purchase. The guy is young, ambitious, and will certainly make a name for himself.

Nothing to say, in Northern Europe we are second to everyone. The British, Irish, Icelanders, and now the Norwegians. Knowing that ninety percent of people recognize the highest musical expression of this country in a festival whose song quality is frighteningly ridiculous, I remain seriously puzzled yet equally surprised.

Amazed at how, with just a few chords and a simple voice like many others, they can still produce music of extraordinary quality…