Tag Archives: hfn Music

On Record – Kasper Bjørke – Puzzles (hfn music)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Kasper Bjørke is proving himself to be an extremely versatile songwriter and producer. His new album Puzzles, described as a love letter to early 2000s New York, is in direct contrast to two collaborative EPs recently released on Live at Robert Johnson and Mule Musiq, not to mention a second ambient album as Kasper Bjørke Quartet for Kompakt.

Puzzles is sprinkled with collaborations, too, as Bjørke looks to combine a love of disco with jazz, funk and conventional songwriting. The finished article, admits the press release, is ‘the album he was most proud of and wished he had made 20 years ago’.

What’s the music like?

Kasper Bjørke certainly is a puzzle – for just when you think you have him pinned down and cornered musically, the Danish producer pops up to add another string to his bow!

This is a thoroughly enjoyable album of really effective tribute and pastiche, yet it is done in such a way that none of the music sounds second hand or done as a poor imitation. Instead there are some quality songs and memorable hooks to savour.

Top of the pile is Corridor Of Dreams, the first track featuring Sísý Ey, Systur & Oilly Wallace, a track 1980s Bryan Ferry or Erasure would have been proud of, bearing a little similarity to the latter’s Blue Savannah and featuring a lush saxophone solo from Wallace. Equally smooth is Ugle (Drømmen Om Møn), where Wallace transfers his talent to the flute.

Bjørke’s disco beats are irresistible, whether he applies them to instrumentals or to some of the well-crafted songs. Conversations is most definitely one of those, Sísý Ey channelling her inner Stevie Nicks for a breezy chorus line.

The instrumentals work really well, too – with a special mention for the chunky synths and wiry bass of the excellent Club Paradisco.

Does it all work?

It does – Bjørke’s craft is impeccable.

Is it recommended?

Very much so. This is airy, springlike pop music with an electro tinge that makes the listener yearn for better weather ahead in the year. Here’s hoping!

For fans of… Fleetwood Mac, Empire of the Sun, Gus Gus

Listen and Buy

Published post no.2,160 – Friday 26 April 2024

Switched On – Mike Sheridan: Atmospherics (hfn music)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Mike Sheridan returned to the long playing game in late November 2023 with his first album since 2012. It had been a while in the making, evolving over three years, with the Danish producer taking his time in comparison to his first album I Syv Sind, released in 2008 at the age of 17.

Sheridan has had a good deal of life experience since then, and Atmospherics was planned as a quiet release, almost devoid of melodies. The title refers to electrical disturbances, such as those that occur during a thunderstorm and tamper with wireless signals. Rather than being devoid of melodies, he adds to them with vocal guest slots for Agnes Aldén and Indra-Rios Moore.

What’s the music like?

Very…atmospheric. Sheridan writes in a compelling style however, so while the music works in an ambient context the events on each track do combine to pull the listener in.

He operates in a widescreen environment, established early on with the instrumental Impulse, but there is a lot of detail in the foreground, too. On occasion the dark colours and textures hint at an industrial setting, the listener placed up the end of a large structure while mechanical processes work their way out in a largely ambient way. The interference he speaks about is generally easy on the ear, aiding the ambience rather than interfering with it, but there are moments of unexpected beauty where brief string loops (Impulse, CME), vocals or gentle guitar lines (Strata) make themselves known.

The beats are effective, too, slower patterns that walk forward at an easy pace, but generate a kind of subtle urgency. The vocals are well chosen and ideally spaced, headed by the two contributions from Swedish singer Agnes Aldén – whose turn on the urgent Minds I is particularly good. BYLJA appears on the unexpectedly uptempo Subspace, where the audio scenery suddenly goes past at a quicker rate.

Everything comes together to great effect on the finale. Universal Automation, made with Janus Rasmussen, is a superb piece of work where the beats flick around the edges of a broad sonic canvas like the flames of a candle, before taking over emphatically.

Does it all work?

It does. Sheridan is an impressive composer who writes with no padding – everything is there for a reason, no matter how the ambience is created. This is especially rewarding on headphones when the layers of detail can be fully appreciated.

Is it recommended?

Yes. Mike Sheridan’s brand of electronics may be ambient, but it proves a stimulating listen too.

For fans of… Dave Gahan solo, Trentemøller, Jon Hopkins, The Black Dog

Listen

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Published post no.2,060 – Thursday 18 January 2024

Switched On: Kasper Bjørke: Sprinkles (hfn Music)

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reviewed by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Kasper Bjørke is a prolific producer, with two decades’ worth of music under his belt. Much of that has been in a solo capacity for the Copenhagen artist, who has proved himself equally effective as a songwriter and instrumentalist.

His new album Sprinkles falls into the latter category, and appears to have its roots in a lockdown climate. Recorded and produced on his laptop, in a cabin by the beach in Denmark, the aim is to draw on energy and positive feelings from Bjørke’s experience gigging worldwide. It should provide music to fill the considerable hole left by empty dancefloors over the last year and a half.

What’s the music like?

Polished, dancefloor-friendly, and summery. Bjørke writes with a fluent, listener-friendly approach, providing plenty of hooks but working them in to textures as suitable for a Balearic poolside as they are for the darker club. Elements of house, techno and electro combine with instinctive ease.

The three singles already released – Baybi, Running and Kites – are excellent, and the way Baybi unfolds with a lazy saxophone is especially attractive. Grace has bubbling synths, its analogue approach working well, while Mirage flickers brightly at the edges, with some nicely applied textures.

As the album progresses so does Bjørke’s tendency to experiment, and RDVSpecial sharpens the synth tones to good effect. Finally Viewwws throws a few longing looks back towards 1990s ambient, with its loping, dubby tread.

Does it all work?

It does. Nothing here is too demanding, but nor is it lacking in substance. The Danish seaside gives itself away in the warm textures, and the sepia-tinted edges to some of Bjørke’s tracks are attractive.

Is it recommended?

It is. Kasper Bjørke’s output has been consistent and varied up until now, but there is room for the deeper side in his output – and the productions here are linked together rather nicely. Sprinkles is an ideal summer album.

Stream and Buy

Sprinkles  is released on 30 July. To hear the first three singles and to purchase, you can visit Bandcamp here: