Bats In The Attic
Die With Your Boots On, 2024
9/10
A seminal outfit of the Nordicana scene, The Northern Belle bring Cardigans friendly pop, indie balladry and southern rock ideas to these sometimes cosmic 11 tracks.
The warm, folk fueled acoustic guitar of “Astral Plane” opens the listen with Stine Andreassen’s gorgeous vocals alongside Trym Gjermundbo’s cozy drumming, and “Treat Yourself Better” follows with a crisp and harmonic delivery of breezy melodies and flowing song craft.
Further along, “Stargazer” offers a dreamy moment of hazy melodies, where Andreassen’s rich voice is met with layered guitars, while “Our Own Frequency” welcomes Bjørnar Ekse Brandseth’s glowing pedal steel to the distinct version of Americana that invites an immediate sing-along quality.
Close to the end, “Hell & Back” embraces indie-pop ideas via its sugary sweet delivery, and “Grow Up” exits with a gentle intimacy, where a heartfelt bareness populates the minimal finish.
Also in the band are Johanne Flottorp (hardanger fiddle, harmonies), Ole-André Sjøgren (guitars, harmonies) and Marie Tveiten (guitars, harmonies), and together they’re making a timeless brand of Norwegian Americana that should resonate worldwide.
Travels well with: Bjorn Tomren- Bad Science Fiction; Darling West- Cosmos