Bellman - Morphology (Album Review)

Norwegian electro dream-pop artist 'Bellman' is back with a new 8-track album and a tour! He currently has some dates in Norway coming up, and a small tour in Russia in May; as well as working on some Japan/Korea and China dates as well in the Autumn.  Bellman made his debut album in 2009, amongst the album were the songs "Spaceship, Move Slow" and "Celestine", the first of which, originally released in 2008, proved especially popular and reached Number 6 on the Norwegian albums chart the first week.

Curiosity comes into question as soon as you hear his opening track 'Coloured By You' - it is nothing like I have ever heard before, and it is rather indescribable. I feel like if a DJ remixed this song it would be a brilliant house tune, and would fit right in the clubs. The songs within the album are all very peculiar, although it is refreshing listening to something that isn't the mainstream. 'Bellman' or otherwise known as Arne-Johan Rauan has a very versatile vocal range within his dream-pop voice. Although, classified as 'pop' music I beg to differ as the album has a darker atmosphere and sound to it whilst simultaneously sounding uplifting... This is why the album is completely indescribable. You just have to listen to it.

The repetitive chorus' work well within the album as there is only 8-tracks so you learn to catch on to the lyrics very quickly, which I'm sure is great for fans! The title of  'Morphology' is a rather abstract name to call an album or song, as it means the study or the structure of something. The correlation between the actual album and the title is unclear; although perhaps the album title is self-explanatory, and it could just be to do with the structure of the album?

'We Are The Guns' particularly stood out for me, as did 'Golden Drain'. The intro to 'We Are Guns' captivates you the whole way through and Bellman also gets your attention with the opening verse and chorus combo of...

"She is burning in the way that we are, chasing pavements, hoping to get far. See the people trading dreamers for dreams, painting sidewalks, at least that's what it seems. We are the guns that's blowing holes in what you see. We are the drugs that somehow alters you and me, we are the ones that slowly fades into the other side, we are the guns..."

All in all, the album is very easy-listening, however simultaneously it is very peculiar. You wouldn't necessarily have to have an acquired music taste to listen to this album, but you would have to have an open-mind. This will be very different to most things that you have listened to before and if I have intrigued you enough with my review to listen to it, then do it; because I do not want to give too much away. The closest thing I can describe it to, is imagine The XX came about in the 80's.

You can listen to the album here:
Spotify: http://bit.do/spotify_morph
Tidal: http://bit.do/tidal_morph
iTunes: http://bit.do/itunes_morph
Google Play: http://bit.do/gp_morph
Amazon: http://bit.do/amazon_morph