With an album title like ‘Ten Love Songs’ and a release date close to Valentine’s Day, you could be forgiven for thinking the new album from Susanne Sundfør might only be suitable for the loved up and soppy amongst us. Don’t make that mistake – for this is an utterly compelling listen that should bring her out of the shadow of the artists she has collaborated with so far – M83, Röyksopp and Kleerup being just three. This is Sundfør’s sixth album, and having seen her live I can absolutely confirm she knows what she’s doing when it comes to writing songs that move and vocals that can stop you in your tracks. On this record she does both frequently –notably in ‘Accelerate’, which simmers with tension, ‘Kamikaze’, which sees her stepping out forcefully, and in ‘Delirious’, where swirling strings cut to a punchy electro song that bristles with attitude. Yet right at the centre of the record sits ‘Memorial’, a remarkable and emotional ten-minute ballad to a lost partner that tugs sharply at the heartstrings. Buy it for this alone – but make sure you give Sundfør the opportunity to blow you away with the sheer power of her songs elsewhere.
5 out of 5
Reviewed by Ben Hogwood
{http://soundcloud.com/susannesundfor/delirious-richard-x-remix-1}
