Bjorn Riis is a busy man. With his band Airbag he has made six records so far. And if Airbag was not enough for him, he started a solo career besides Airbag in 2014. His fifth solo album is just released and has the title Fimbulvinter. I looked for the translation and it means awful winter. In that case it is a contradiction if I look at the song titles as Gone, Panic Attack and Fear Of Abandonment. For me it's okay to be misled, that just makes me more curious to what will I hear on the new album. I have to be honest and tell you that I was not the biggest fan of the earlier Airbag albums, as well as the previous albums of Bjorn solo. Why? It did not fit in perfectly for me, something was missing and I could not put my finger on it. I was curious if this one was better for me, or not. After a few listening rounds I had my answer, this album has it all. And of course I had to search for the clues, why is this album sounding better in my opinion? The answer for me is that this album is totally played by Bjorn, no other artists but pure Bjorn (besides a bit of drumming by others, but that is okay). The pureness of Bjorn makes this record his best one, in my humble opinion. If we take a look at the cover of the album, it is the first time you can see Bjorn in his entirety. We, as listeners, may see him as he is, and that is so good! And I mean this musically as well lyrically. The themes in the songs are so personal, I can only have respect for that. If you can sing that you are running all your life, have panic attacks and have fear of abandonment, than you are a great man to share that with us. Well, read further for what I experienced in the diverse songs. Illhug, what means rowdiness in English, is not what I hear, so here is a mislead and I can only laugh about it. It all starts with acoustic guitars and some keys on the background that slowly settles in your brain and will never disappear again, so do not tell me that I did not warn you! Listen at your own risk! You can hear an acoustic guitar that goes on and on and another one that is soloing all the time. It Is a short one and a good album opener, it has its own vibe. Gone This is a song up tempo, a nice rhythm section with fabulous bass playing. Lyrically it deals with a person that can only disappear because he is running all his life without doing anything good. In that respect it is a gloomy theme. Musically it fits in with the theme, convinced that it is better to be away, the music also exudes that, very expressive and clear. A few good guitar solos, as we are used to if Bjorn plays the guitar. Toward the end of the song you can hear the inspiration of Bjorn, the rock from the seventies. You can also hear a finger-licking guitar solo. This one is one of the heavier songs. Panic Attack This song has a particularly oppressive atmosphere, it really grabs you by the throat, both musically and lyrically. You can feel everything that a person feels when having a panic attack. On the one hand you feel the modesty, on the other hand you feel the powerlessness. If Bjorn sings 'I don't want anyone to see me', you can feel how he shames his self for having panic attacks. I think it's great that you can match the music to the lyrics so much. Towards the end of the song the chaos increases and everything becomes heavy. The song ends completely abruptly. Then quiet. For me this one is one of the best songs on the album. She After all the experiences of Panic Attack, you now get some air again with the next song, She. If I interpretate the lyrics this is an ode to the wife of Bjorn for being always there for him, also in times that are hard for him. Nice to hear him so vulnerable. In my opinion being vulnerable is a strong character trait, so a big compliment to Bjorn. If we listen to the music we can have some breath again, however it also has it's own vibe and realm. It is a nice one to listen to with now and then guitar solos that carry you, played so lovely . Fimbulvinter After the peace we experienced in the previous song, it is time for an instrumental song. It takes it's time to develop from slowly and not knowing where we are going to, to a heavy and psychedelic song on the album. We are going on an adventure like a rollercoaster in the dark, not knowing what will come. From heavy to easy listening and all between is what we are presented with. And of course there is always the guitar of Bjorn, recognizable from thousands. In my opinion, this journey should have taken half an hour. Especially because it has beautiful psychedelic moments. Sometimes you can hear the early Pink Floyd. In terms of variety, this is the most controversial song. Fear Of Abandonment The title track of the last song on the album says enough, this is not an uplifting song. But I am totally taken by it. Again the music tells the story, the lyrics just underline this, one and one is two, no way in to get between. Music breathes the emotions and so does this song. It starts with piano and guitars, when Bjorn sings in a really emotional way about what his soul feels, this all with a slow guitar solo that touches you. You can feel in what state of mind Bjorn is, again he is so personal in this song. He is a brave man to give us an insight in his emotional state of mind. When he sings You may go (I will go) You may disappear You may go now (I will go) Leave us alone I feel the tears run down my cheeks. It touches me very deeply, maybe I do recognize what he sings about... And I am really proud of an artist who can give himself in this way, just hats off for Bjorn. After all this personal emotion he underlines it with the most beautiful guitar solo of the record, you can feel this one in your soul. It is a good way to close the record. So as you can read in my review this one is a must have for all the self-respective people. I can repeat it a thousand times, but I will not. I gave my time to listen to one of the best albums 2025 will deliver. Go buy this beautiful music and listen, listen and listen. It will heal your wounds! ***** Michel Stolk (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
