Lindstrøm - It's Alright Between Us As It Is

Lindstrøm
It's Alright Between Us As It Is
2017
Spotify

If you follow Indie music, especially on the electronic side of things there is a strong chance you've heard a Lindstrøm remix. Norwegian producer Hans-Peter Lindstrøm has worked with the likes of RAC, Chain Gang of 1974 and many others however It's Alright Between Us As It Is is his solo record since 2012. The nine track LP is really a series of experiments far less focused on the bright synth heavy dance music he creates with his remixes. Very little is given to the length of songs with ranges from over eight minutes to under sixty seconds. The albums first proper song "Spire" shifts and moves throughout its time, creating a vastly different world you end up at than where you started. The big Norwegian Disco sounds most popular days are behind it, but Lindstrøm manages to infuse a new sense of life into the genre. He so effortlessly moves from fun dance music into something darker and more ominous. It has taken awhile for Lindstrøm to find his footing since his most celebrated album Where You Go, I Go Too but on this record He seems to have really found a comfort level with his sound that simply took years to rediscover. The grooves He is able to mine in the middle of his tracks are just so comfortable and so great you can't help but move your body. He almost finds a way to dig himself a hole that only He knows the way out of. You may be in the dark for awhile but once you emerge on the other side you are better for it.

"Sorry" is the first track with vocals and is actually a bit of a shock when it first comes on, but Frida Sundemo's vocal is so interesting it really fits with the artistic nature of the album. Lindstrøm doesn't stop there though and instead pushes the song forward into a more soundscape ending eventually spilling into the techno inspired "Versatile Dreams". The two tracks shouldn't fit, but Lindstrøm finds away to make them sync up perfectly. "Shinin'" with Grace Hall on vocals gives you a much stronger R&B vibe in it's start but then transforms into this whole other thing when Lindstrøm starts chopping up her vocals. He really finds the best moments on the tracks with vocals because He is able to find that special moment and just extend it on and on. One of my favorite tracks is "Drift" which has this really space disco vibe but also a super ethereal quality to it. You feel like you are on a journey and never quite sure where the track is going to take you next. "Bung! (Like a Ghost)" a spoken word track featuring Jenny Hval which is really fucking wild. Jenny's voice sort of springs in and out of existence sometimes singing, sometimes speaking with this constant drum beat behind her. You feel like you are descending into some kind of other realm where who knows what the fuck is going on. It's Alright Between Us As It Is is a really fascinating record and one with plenty to like. Strap in and take the deep dive.

8.6 out of 10