Norwegian electronic music really is at the heady heights at the moment, though this new Smalltown Supersound is something of a cross country affair. It’s the Idjut Boys, Per Martinsen (Mental Overdrive) and the excellent Rune Lindbaek, all coming together to deliver an album of cosmic brilliance, with a bit of disco on the side. As you might expect there are some euphoric moments where the laid back, four to the floor beats are given some gorgeous treble sounds to contend with, and tracks such as ‘Andromeda (Prelude To The Future)’ work really well as they pan out to heady atmospherics. One of the treats of ‘Desire Lines’ is the way it picks out small cameos from steel pan or harp, as it does at the start of ‘1-800-288-SLAM’, while the improvised piano that drifts through ‘Bugges Room’ is pitched just right. There are only seven tracks here but that’s all you need – it makes it all the more easier to play this blissful album for a second time.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood