Separate Bed
Apollon, 2022
8/10
The debut solo album from Bosse Litsheim, who is a prominent member of the highly praised outfit Ai Phoenix, as Separate Bed he welcomes the help of the electro-acoustic skills of Mari Kvien Brunvoll, plus others, across these 9 mesmerizing, well thought out tracks.
“Kid Phoenix” starts the listen with much warmth, where soft guitar and expressive singing from Brunvoll makes for a gentle opener, and “Citizen Of Rumination” follows with Frode Fivel’s soaring pipes and Magnus Abelsen’s skilled bass populating the cautious indie-rock climate.
In the middle, the fuller “Will Way Ditch” comes with a dreamy, swirling demeanor of mystery, while “Boy In Crystal Sky” emits a prettiness thanks to Mona Hynne’s poetic singing amid the nearly spiritual quality.
Approaching the end, “Want To Be Castaway” flirts with folk ideas in a lo-fi setting, and “Return To Nothingness” exits with calm keys alongside a stirring ambience and rare intimacy.
A generally slow burning affair that might remind you of Lambchop, St. Thomas or Yo La Tengo, Litsheim is a highly creative artist, and this new moniker of songs worked on with Tarjei Thomassen and Robert Jønnum continue his streak of compelling music.
Travels well with: Friendship- Alchemy Of Your Destiny; Honeyvein- Honeyvein