Juno & Jupiter
Apollon, 2021
8/10
The pandemic project of Stein Roger Sordal, of Green Carnation fame, as Sordal he channels his early days immersed in ‘80s sounds, where he brings machines from the late ‘70s and ‘80s to help add a genuine spirit to the throwback affair.
“You Make It So Damn Easy To Love You” starts the listen with vibrant synth and a beat friendly demeanor that’s destined for the dance floor, and “Moral Police” follows with soulful backing vocals and soaring guitar work as the bright and thumping climate moves with a contagious energy.
Halfway through, “Transartic Lover” welcomes female vocals as a very modern version of electro-pop unfolds, while “I Don’t Believe In Science” shimmers amid a playful pop quality that’s full of dreamy backing vocals and ‘80s fueled synth. “Into The Ocean”, one of the album’s best, then flows with driving melodies and punchy, buzzing synth-rock.
Arriving near the end, “Granit” recruits a darker quality as post-punk nods enter a sax fueled instrumental, and “Mother Receive, Mother Return” exits the listen with a warm, nearly soothing display of tuneful, agile alt-rock.
The production here is incredible and truly brings us back to much earlier times, which again showcases just how versatile Sordal is with his craft. A record that began as a need to fill a void during the inability to play live as the world sheltered in, let’s hope he’ll keep this project alive, cause the ‘80s influences present are superbly executed.
Travels well with: Dang!!!- Sociopathfinder; Vestamaran- Bungalow Rex