True North

The COVID 19 pandemic broadsided our lives, forced us to regroup and spend time with family and simplify our lives.A- ha had begun their mammoth Hunting high and low tour which I caught on the second night in Belfast in November 2019They were able to get a clutch of gigs done in early 2020 in the Middle East South Africa and Australia before the hammer came downBy the time they recommenced the tour in Argentina at the end of March 2022 ,they had a new album in the bag and 2 songs from it added to the tour set.The idea was fascinating. They recorded the new album live in November 2021 with the Arctic Philamonic Orchestra in Bodo, Norway. If this was a novel way to record an album, a companion film was made which the music served as a soundtrack to. This was directed by long term collaborator Stian Anderson who has shown a superb visual eye from the many band photos he has produced.I first heard "forest for the trees" and "you have what it takes" from the clips from the South American gigs in 2022. The first by Pal ,quirky and Beatley the latter by Magne majestic accoustic pop. July saw the release of "I'm in" a soaring shimmering beauty of a song and which takes the ranks with the classics. "Hunter in the hills" is excellent funky baseline and drums coupled against Bond theme strings and incongruous lyrics given the romanticism of the production. "As if" starts off with Yazoo type keyboards before Beatles like strings kick in."Between the Halo and the horn " is an accoustic Magne gem with lovely Spanish guitar solo. "True North" has echoes of Stay on these Roads with excellent lyrics using the compass metaphor of finding your way home. "Bumblebee" is a Pal curio inspired by Brazilian 60s pop production, the archaic keyboards sound like Wings Band on the run. "Forest for the trees" as mentioned is superb accoustic electric Beatles which would fit on Rubber Soul. "Bluest of Blue"is a lovely accoustic number about marine conservation." Make me understand" is a grower with lovely 70s pop type strings in the middle. " You have what it takes" is better than the live version with beautiful orchestra accompaniment. "Summer Rain" another beautiful Magne composition and the final "Oh my word" is beautiful lilting jazz a la Pal.Why is this album a triumph?The live format with orchestra which worked so well for the MTV unplugged brings a consistency to Pals half and Magne's half. The songs are brought to life organically and there is no opportunity for overproduction. The songs by and large are growers and the orchestration is sumptuous and spot on.The film whilst beautifully filmed is mildly bewildering but suffices as visual set pieces to each song rather than the intended music as soundtrack to film . This album is up there with "Scoundrel Days" and among A-ha's finest works. It makes amends for the overproduced disjointed mess that was the "Cast in steel" fiasco from 2015.Gentlemen if this is your Swan song then you are going out at the peak. Bravo!!

Firstly it's great to see these guys back together for another album. I loved cast in steel and thought that was the end. This is a different bag and is their most mature album yet. It's less pop orientated and more reflective. Every song is a winner. Morten's voice is in fine fettle and the songs are sung with great ability and care. The musicianship is also excellent. Although this album is a slight change of gear, it is still distictly A-Ha. so the fans will not be disappointed. I really like this album and love A-Ha.Now for the annoying bit. The Vinyl. This is cut at 45rpm which is fab for sound quality and is only marked on the label so beware. What isn't marked on the label is what side you are playing!! No A,B,C,D but a silly compass marking North, South, East, West. A silly and annoying gimmick. Just mark the the sides in something we all understand. There are no track listings on the record label so one has to refer to the cover to find out which side (N,S,E,W) the tracks refer to. What a pointless palava! The pressings are quiet, and sound good, if a little dull and bass heavy, but we still can't get the hole in the centre of the record in 2023 it would seem. Record 1 was a slight swinger so a file was needed to correct it. You would think with computers and lasers that this would be a thing of the past! Other than that a good buy and a worthy album to the collection.

With that title I was expecting nordic noir, what I got was a seventies summer dream complete with orchestral score. This band just never gets stale, always a fresh approach every time. Morten really should do a cover of ‘Oh Lori’.

Excellent quality, opens like a book with stunning imagery and lyrics. The film is on a USB card and just plugs into your TV playing seamlessly, well worth watching. Quality of the vinyl and CD is exactly as you'd expect. The album is the first album of there's I have bought since the '80's, the songs felt very connected to nature to me and a real labour of love.

An excellent return to form from a band that I wasn't a big fan of back in the day but i'm enjoying this album immensely.

Beautiful production. Adore I'm in. Just a shame True North sounds like Stay on these roads. Otherwise would have given 5 stars.

Returning from Covid with an absolutely mind-blowing album! Trademark nordic sound and Magne has a very strong presence in this album. Many outstanding tracks and you need to sit down and listen to the album a few times to find your own favourite. Morten's voice is and has always been out of this world. a-ha to me is always a three piece band. Without any one of them, it would not be a-ha. Glad that they are still around, and I, together with many fans, young and old, am also still there to support them.

A big child hood fan..good album better then their last two albums