We’re squeezing in an ‘In Short’ series of 8 Artists / Bands just before Christmas that we missed earlier in the year when they released albums, either because we were away or too busy at the time. The first is the remarkable Frisk Frugt, otherwise known as multi-instrumentalist and composer Anders Lauge Meldgaard. And when we say multi-instrumentalist, we really mean that as his album released at the beginning of the year entitled Den Europæiske Spejlbue is packed full of every sound, instrument noise you could possibly imagine.
The result is an extraordinary mix of sounds that, at first listen, appear complex and even almost indecipherable. Slowly but surely glimpses of fragmented tunes emerge, and after a while I’ve find myself utterly immersed in a complex woven web of sound, that in the end somehow makes sense. For sure, it takes some listening to, but over the last few months this has grown on me to the extent that this one of my most listened to albums of the year.
It is almost impossible to describe individual tracks, but the beauty of the album is in the detail – the way tunes re-emerge across the album, the beautiful oboe that fleetingly appears and the glimpses of melodies that leave me wanting more. The whole thing is so unique, individual and at times utterly bonkers. But I love it, and the more I listen, the more I find myself wanting to live in a musical world where Frisk Frugt’s music is normal, and it’s just that everyone else that doesn’t quite fit in. This is a brilliantly conceived and original album, packed full of ideas and glorious moments, and I have no doubt that I will be listening to It for many years to come.
Nordic Music Review 9/10