In March Norwegian singer, songwriter and actress Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen released her fifth album ‘Never Ever Going Back’ on her own label Sweet Morning Records in Norway to solid critical acclaim. Admittedly I don’t know Asbjørnsen’s earlier releases, from what I’ve read all jazz, so I can’t say if this is a step upwards or the opposite. What I can say is that I’m digging what I hear.

Jazz is still very much part of her music, not least in her expressive vocal delivery, but adding blues, pop and rock elements she creates an enticing combo with a 1920s cabaret feel in the spirit of Tom Waits (only prettier in every sense) and sharing the playfulness of her Finnish sister in arms Astrid Swan (album opener ‘Trans Siberia’ could’ve been a Swan track).

As said I don’t know her previous albums, but by the looks of it ‘Never Ever Going Back’ is a step in a new direction for Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen. And by the sound of it she doesn’t have to go back…

Genre: Pop/Rock/Jazz
Who: Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen
Album: Never Ever Going Back
Label: Sweet Morning Records
Year: 2010
Country: Norway
Language: English
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Recommended tracks:
Dragon Fly – Come Summer – When You Are Gone – Yellow Days – Never Ever Going Back