Valor
Apollon, 2020
9/10
The moniker of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Jacob Holm-Lupo, who is also a member of White Willow and Telepath, the artist brings all sorts of pop influences to this 3rd album, where themes of dreams, childhood and youth are explored with much creativity.
“In The Streets” starts the listen with a melodic, adventurous approach to pop as soft vocals meet an ‘80s influenced setting, and “Slow Run” continues the tuneful formula with soulful singing in a more restrained atmosphere.
Near the halfway point, “Nightwings” glows with bright synth that just might make you dig out your roller skates for the dreamy delivery where Holm-Lupo’s 13 year old daughter makes her singing debut, while “Fairground Sunday” finds itself in ballad territory with a delicate and hazy display of beauty. Though there isn’t a dud present, “The Curfew Bell” is exceptionally executed, as a bit of mystery enters a moodier environment that certainly isn’t short on innovation as Leah Marcu of Tillian fames handles vocals.
Close to the end, “A Maelstrom Of Stars” moves with an agile, spirited approach where some spacey moments comprise the artistic, nearly prog-rock instrumental, and “What’s It Gonna Be”, a Ratt cover, is an extremely unexpected surprise where the band reinvent the glam metal tune into a lush indie-pop stunner with Alexander Stenerud, of Zuma, lending his pipes.
Holm-Lupo is in fine company here beyond the guest vocalists, too, including Ilia Skibinsky, Maria Grigoryeva, and Bjørn Riis, among others, and it all ends in a delightful and fascinating listen, especially if legends like Japan and Prefab Sprout mean anything to you.
Travels well with: Weserbergland- Am Ende der Welt; Christopher Sky- What It Is, It Isn’t