Small towns. Either they numb you or give you an overwhelming, all consuming desire to get out. Escape. Either literally or through various well tested escapist tools like drinks, drugs or more creative – and altogether more sensible – means like music. I know because I have been bored shitless there. As has Norwegian singer and songwriter John Olav Nilsen, which he describes in wonderfully simple and elegantly poetic lyrics on life, death, (sour) love and everything in between in small town Loddefjord on the outskirts of Bergen.

Musically ‘For Sant Til Å Være Godt’ (“Too true to be good”) draws on the musical legacy of The Cure, The Libertines and Swedish colleague Håkan Hellström while keeping it personal. It’s imperfect, but I like the ramshackle delivery, I like that John Olav Nilsen isn’t a great singer in the classical sense, and I especially like the air of immediacy and absolute necessity that surrounds the songs and is evident not least in his vocal. Emotions I suspect even people with no Norwegian skills will pick up on when listening. Which you should. Now.

Genre: Rock
Who: John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen
Album: For Sant Til Å Være Godt
Label: Voices of Wonder/VME
Year: 2009/2010
Country: Norway
Language: Norwegian
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Recommended tracks:
Hull I Himlen – Piken Med Sviket – Diamanter & Kirsebær – Ting Eg Lærte Når Eg Ventet På Bussen – Ikkje Fåkk Med Kjærligheten