Norwegian troubadour Torgeir Waldemar will release his new album ‘Love’ through Jansen Records on 17th January. Produced by Anders Møller and Torgeir Waldemar and recorded at Subsonic Society Studios, Oslo, ‘Love’ follows the loud, fuzz-drenched ‘No Offending Borders‘ (2017) and his melancholic debut ‘Torgeir Waldemar’ (2014).
“…an album of great contemplative depth. One worth seeking out.” Mike Davies on ‘No Offending Borders’.
Waldemar has established himself at the very forefront of Norwegian rock and roll troubadours. For the mini-album ‘Jamais Vu‘ (2018), he combined the two personas, stripping down the rock songs from the second album, while rocking up the acoustic songs from the debut.
“In the space of five songs, ample evidence is gleaned as to the skilful, high-quality musicianship possessed by Waldemar. What is presented here is high-class music that certainly deserves a wider audience than just the good folk of Norway. Gode sanger Torgeir.” David Pratt on Jamais Vu.
There’s a common thread running through Waldemar’s music, where the new album Love is the obvious continuation – rocking, but not as rough, loud but with more focus.
On the record, Waldemar says: “Love is the driving force behind all our actions. But love isn’t necessarily beautiful or pleasant – it contains too much – everything from self-destruction to crimes of passion. Vi need to take care of one another, but also the world around us. We have been acting out of love, even if it’s love of money or status. As a consequence, the ocean is dying and the forests are burning. If this is the way of showing future generations what love is… Love requires commitment, and also has consequences.”
Listen to lead track “Leaf in the Wind” which calls to mind an early Neil Young at his very best, just on the basis of this one track I think we’re going to be in for a real treat:
Everyone who’s experienced Torgeir Waldemar live, knows that he fronts a powerful orchestra, effortlessly mixing seventies hard rock, psychedelic jams and groovy Americana. It is this band-feel he wanted to replicate on Love – while at the same time relaying the lyrics, message and heart that he’s known for.
Inspired by the Brian Wilson song “Love and Mercy” – in which Wilson describes a wicked world and on the chorus sings “love and mercy, that’s what you need tonight, love and mercy to you and your friends tonight” – Waldemar landed on the title. On ‘Love’ Waldemar is more ambitious than ever before with a message of unity and the music to match.
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