Gaffa.no - Per Henrik Arnesen
Photo: Paal Audestad
New Bird most definitely touches you. It won’t let you go once it got hold of you. Allow yourself to be consumed by the fragility and heartbreak of this album.
Imagine yourself sitting in the dark on a very comfortable sofa. You can hear the wind howling and the rain pouring down outside. Leaving the house is the last thing on your mind. Instead you pour yourself a nice glass of red wine and get the fireplace going. The loudspeakers are emitting the most beautiful and heartbreaking sounds. You can just feel the darkness wrap itself around you in a comforting and calming way, and your soul is filled with a deep sense of peace.
That is the feeling you are left with after having taken the time to listen to CECILIE ANNA and her most recent album, New Bird. You’d be hard pressed to create such a calming and peaceful atmosphere in a better way than she has managed to do on this album.
EVOCATIVE LANDSCAPE
All the tracks on this album are performed solely using vocals and a synthesiser in order to create the desired atmosphere, only adding other instruments as an exception. There aren’t many moments on this album that knock your socks off. Instead, the songs spread themselves out like a dark, soft, velvety blanket. The way in which CECILIE ANNA performs her songs is reminiscent of Susanna Wallumrød, and at times also Anne Marie Almedal. There is something about her voice which just hits that spot and makes this minimalistic soundscape complete. A sense of intimacy and hurt, mixed with authenticity and beauty.
CECILIE ANNA’s music is never going to get your party started, as the soundscape is simply too dark and heavy for this. However, at the same time, the songs are simply beautiful and touch your soul. This music does something to you. You just can’t help but being affected by these incredibly expressive melodies.
It’s hard trying to pick out a favourite track, but some of the songs do stand out from the others. “Dear David” opens slowly, almost ready to burst. The intensity of the piano playing gains momentum, and once the gospel choir makes its entrence, the impact is so profound that it simply knocks you off your feet, just for a moment. Out of a slow meldody suddenly a monumental sound wall emerges, reminiscent of Roger Waters’ backing vocals on his solo album.
Using her 37-key synthesiser to imitate the sound of a church organ results in a very naked and vulnerable performance of the track ”Follow You”. It sounds magnificent, yet minimalistic, where the lyrics are carried by a powerful and permeating voice.
The last track on the album is dedicated to her father and a deep longing for nature and all the experiences shared there. “Winter Turns to Spring” has just the right amount of distance between a flowing sound tapestry and CECILIE ANNA’s vocal.
IN THE BORDERLAND BETWEEN HERSELF AND ALL THAT IS AROUND HER
The songs on this record have been created over a period of time. CECILIE ANNA gives us eleven little stories, with lyrics that talk about the periphery between herself and the world around her. These stories have been inspired by people that are close to her, other artists’ voices or musical heroes. One of these people, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, received his own dedication in the opening track of this album, “Bonnie”.
Maybe not that many people have heard of CECILIE ANNA yet, even though this is now her third album release. Her first album she recorded with her band FAMILIEFORETAKET in 2016, followed by the release of her solo album I’m Here in 2017. Discovering Cecilie Anna’s music has proved that it is still possible to get excited about something new and unknown out there.
New Bird definitely leaves its marks on you. You can’t escape once you have let it in. Instead, let it flow into you and let yourself be consumed. You won’t regret it. Because once you’re hooked, there’s no way back.