On An Island. Sivert Høyem

Sivert Høyem has a voice like a very nice sun tan, golden brown and smooth. Ever since I encountered 'Industrial Silence' in the very early 2000s, I have followed his career and after the surprise of the first Madrugada album in well over a decade in 2022, in early 2024 he present a new solo album, On An Island. I hear that Høyem knows exactly how to make his voice shine but this does not alter in any way my pleasure of listening to it. Some things are too beautiful to ignore.

On On An Island his music is exactly how I want it to be. Slow, silent, with an eruption here or there, mysterious and that closed up feeling one has in heavy snowfall, when everything sounds different. Sivert Høyem delivers once again, is the short version of this review.

With a voice that is so distinctive, it is hard to distinguish between his solo work and that band. It is possible to make some. His solo music is at the same time less as it is more dramatic. Less, because the guitar work is somewhat less prominent and more because he lays the emotions on a a far more subtle inway. Of course, you will hear a lead guitar drenched in reverb, the slowest surf rock you've ever heard. The cooled down, Norwegian winter emotions are all in his voice.

The album opens with the title song. If there ever was an album where a feeling of relaxation was shared, it is in this opening track. Høyem may want to go to an island, the invitation seems to stand only when there's a will to hand-peddle there, certainly no motorised travel involved here. The music is almost anecdotal, so isolated and slow, with huge silences, apart from this a bit annoying drone that is quite prominent in those silences (unless this is a Spotify extra, which seems more likely). It is the voice, reaching for higher notes, that stands central.

Next, a dark guitar and drums and bass come. Still slow, a real ballad, over which Sivert sings just over the rhythm section in the first verse. 'Two Green Feathers' is a highlight of On An Island. When I close my eyes, the band is in my living room. The sound so clear. Again the distinction is clear. The band is accompanying the singer and not playing with the singer. The accompaniment is of enormous beauty by the way. The ocean he sings about, is one to drown in gladly. 'Two Green Feathers' is a song to disappear in to never return. I am simply in awe.

On An Island manages to keep that level of quality and engagement. One song may be more present than the next, softer or a little louder or more intense, they all have that Høyem touch. And yet, and I have few of his solo albums, On An Island is the closest a solo album has come to the mothership so far. Maybe because of 'Chimes At Midnight' Sivert Høyem has set aside his Madrugada inhibitions and does what he is best at: creating dark, brooding, yet extremely beautiful melancholy music. I offer you to listen to how 'In The Beginning' plays out.

Over the album there are several musical surprises within the well-known context. There are things that only time can tell, but I am of the opinion that On An Island surpasses 'Chimes At Midnight' and may grow into my favourite Sivert Høyem album over time. Pretty soon I will have it in the home for sure and start my true relationship with it.

Wout de Natris