Roses Of Neurosis. Sivert Høyem

Having listened so many times to Roses Of Neurosis over the past weeks, I am in the kind of relationship with the album that I can't imagine that on the moment of writing the EP still has to be released. For me it has already become the kind of relationship I have with a few of his solo albums and the four of the five studio albums of his band of old, Madrugada.

Roses Of Neurosis is a five song EP but for me is the best album Høyem has released as a solo artist. The quality is extremely high with an absolute top song as its flagship, first single 'Run Away'. Why, you could ask me, do I come to this conclusion?

That answer starts with a few of the songs on the EP. What appeals to me in the best songs of Madrugada and Sivert Høyem is the way the songs seem to be slowed down, as if in slow motion joined to an extreme sense of urgency. A combination that is impossible. And yet that is what is happening here on Roses Of Neuroris. As if someone is running while another is pushing the break the whole time, with all his might. The term I usually use to describe these songs for myself is majestic. Like a queen striding in a long dress as if gliding over the floor, not touching it. In 'Run Away' this is done so incredibly well. The song can competed with the very best songs ever by Sivert Høyem.

Luckily the other songs on the EP follow very close, making the EP outstanding. 'Safe Return' has an 80s sound, think Foreigner's AOR ballads of the 80s, but ditches the intro vibe because of the rhythm. The mood is mysterious and this underscored by the mood the trumpet shares with the listener. A muted trumpet solo as in 'Torch', Soft Cell's hit of the 80s adorns 'Safe Return'. The drums keep the song firmly grounded. This is a down to earth drum part. The synths make the song want to float away, while Høyem is dreaming away and waiting for the someone he sings about to return to him. Finally there is that slow piano finishing it all off. Beauty caught in music. All together the song comes close to being totally cheesy, instead it comes close to perfection, also because on top of it all is that voice. One of the best in rock in this century. Slow singing with that deep voice, full of rich nuances. It is the icing on top of a beautiful song.

I already wrote about 'Run Away' in one of the recent singles roundups, so won't repeat it here, except to note that the song so far has grown and grown over the weeks.

'Queen Of My Heart' is a slightly more uptempo song, also more one dimensional compared to what came before. At the same time it is somewhat lighter of tone, making it the right song to follow the first two and clears the air for the next song that has that 'dragging the heals' kind of tempo again that I associate directly to Sivert Høyem. 'Archduke' is less stately as 'Run Away', but has the same ingredients, making the song stand out from any other artist. The same goes for 'Devotional', another song that offers another beautiful trumpet solo, played by Nils Petter Molvær. The electronic rhythm makes the song colder in texture, the wide guitar chords, the harmonies and the trumpet make the song come totally alive. Again it stands out.

For about 20 years I enjoy hearing Sivert Høyem sing, but it has been a while since I thought him to be this good. With Roses Of Neurosis he has set a new standard for himself. One that was already quite high. This voice deserves the best songs. Roses of Neurosis is the perfect match.

Wo.

Listen to our Spotify Playlist to find out what we are writing about:

https://open.spotify.com/user/glazu53/playlist/6R9FgPd2btrMuMaIrYeCh6?si=KI6LzLaAS5K-wsez5oSO2g