Silje Leirvik
Album: Endless Serenade
Label: Autumnsongs
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.siljeleirvik.com

Only a year after the debut album from Norwegian songwriter Silje Leirvik ('With The Lights Turned Out So Beautiful') comes her follow up in 'Endless Serenade' and quite an interesting progression it is too. Gone are the more traditional singer songwriter trademarks of piano and strings to be replaced with a much more experimental approach which features more electric instruments and electronic gadgetry including the old prog rock staple, the mellotron, giving quite a retro feel to the album in its texture.

The atmospheric 'Glass Of Water' sets the scene immediately with a dreamy opening slowly enhanced with a gradually more intense drum machine rhythm and synthesised notes before drifting out on a soft flurry. Some slide guitar on 'Black Heart' for a small moment sends shivers of recollection to another prog rock staple in Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side Of The Moon' while the gorgeous 'When In The Water' and 'The Last Dance' showcases Silje's haunting vocals against a delicate backing, a resonant electric guitar being the main instrument on the latter, and form a perfect frame for their lyrics of longing and yearning.

In a nod to her homeland, 'Sno' is sung her native tongue while 'Serenade' closes the album with an almost Mediterranean feel which is akin to a swinging sixties pastiche; a piece of monochrome film adding to the retro feel of the track would be the perfect accompaniment.

The recently released single 'Silver& Gold' along with 'Leah's Song' are more mainstream in an attempt to appeal to a commercial vein and sit slightly less comfortably within the framework of the album. The compositions work best when there is a focus on the more ambitious soundscapes which seem right at home partnered with visions of the Scandinavian landscape and very reminiscent of the traditional and natural Celtic feel which the likes of Enya and Iona type produce with which listeners may be more familiar. Whatever the instrumentation, it all serves to highlight Silje's voice which ranges from full and rich to the more ethereal and soaring. A relaxing piece of work which demands you turn off the lights, light a candle or two, wrap up warm and let it wash over.

Mike Ainscoe