About the song and album: “‘I want this album to be an antidote to the darkness that dominates our culture today. I want to show that there’s another way to see reality, if one dares to take the leap of hoping for a more beautiful world.’ - Susanne Sundfør Five years after Sundfør redefined her career with the folk-inspired, emotionally-effervescent album Music for People In Trouble, the Norwegian musician, artist and producer delves even deeper into her personal mythology on the soul-bearing blómi. Meaning “to bloom” in Norse, blómi takes very unique aspects of Susanne’s life story, like the academic work of her grandfather who is a linguist specialising in Semitic languages, and her own life-changing experiences as a new mother, to weave together a colourful tapestry unlike anything she has released to date. Sundfør wrote blómi, above all, as a love letter to her young daughter, a missive to a precious new life entering an unstable world. In the title track, which is anchored around a lush, driving piano arrangement and skin-tingling saxophones, Susanne imparts all her wisdom to her daughter, urging her to take her words with her through life. Pairing her lyrics with hints of Norse language and mythology, Susanne harks to indigenous Nordic cultures who built matrilineal societies and worshipped divine feminine deities. These roots, this passing from mother to child, is at the core of the music on blómi. While Susanne’s previous albums, such as Ten Love Songs and The Brothel (which topped the Norwegian charts) established her as a singular voice in Norway’s modern musical history, blómi is a decidedly bold evolutionary jump. With its 10 expertly crafted tracks of exquisite songwriting, blómi represents a complex and rewarding new chapter in a visionary artist’s established career.”
Love this song. Thank you for another Norway week! ❤ Next time I recommend revisiting some previous favorites, and maybe a few you haven’t heard yet… Sigrid (her third album might be out by then), Highasakite, Emilie Nicolas, Sissel, Kalandra, Ina Wroldsen, SKAAR, Julie Bergan, Wardruna.
Out of all the singers this week, I'm thinking Suzanne's voice is my favorite. This song really showcased the beautiful sweetness of her voice. I'm going to listen to more of her music. Just lovely. Thanks Bob. (Funny story. Hope you learned from the experience. But, because you've told us the story you obviously didn't. lol Keep trying.)
Apparently it is about her husband. The name Alyosha is taken from The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky, because apparently it is a characther she feels shares many qualities with her husband. Apparently this was said by her on her instagram.
Great reaction Bob. I really like the video too. It does match so well the beautyful song. You reacted a year ago to Susanne's song When the Lord which is part of the score for the documentary movie Self Portrait by Margareth Olin, a highly appreciated director here in Norway. She directed this video too, I chatted with both her and Susanne during the release session of this video, they clearly have a connection. And yes, lucky guy André who got to marry her, he plays sax in her band I believe.
I just came across your channel because you have had Norway week. I'm Norwegian and I was young in the 80s, and listened to a lot of music back then. Since then there was less time for music, and now I discover and rediscover music I missed along the way. It is especially fun to see that people react to Norwegian artists, so I for sure will spend time on your channel. Since you have a special ear for Norwegian artists, I must recommend that you listen to the MTV Unplugged version of an old classic, Take on me by a-ha. The song strikes in a completely different way, and is a must for anyone who knows the original. I also have to mention that most Americans think a-ha is just Take on me - nothing could be further from the truth. The band released their eleventh album, True North, a year ago and I recommend you give it some attention (I suggest the title track, True North, as well as I'm In, Between the Halo and the Horn, Make me understand and Bumblebee) - of course in addition to previous music from a- ha if it falls within your concept.
You are a natural, Bob, and you also made my day this Sunday! Suzanne is a true artist singing meaningful songs!
Susanne Sundfør ❤❤❤❤
What a heartwarming song! I loved the song as well as the sweet video. 😍 The lyrics are an antidote to this hardened world.
Hi. Yes, I loved this. It was a great way to end the week...especially for a Sunday. Thanks as always for the listen.
About the song and album:
“‘I want this album to be an antidote to the darkness that dominates our culture today. I want to show that there’s another way to see reality, if one dares to take the leap of hoping for a more beautiful world.’ - Susanne Sundfør
Five years after Sundfør redefined her career with the folk-inspired, emotionally-effervescent album Music for People In Trouble, the Norwegian musician, artist and producer delves even deeper into her personal mythology on the soul-bearing blómi.
Meaning “to bloom” in Norse, blómi takes very unique aspects of Susanne’s life story, like the academic work of her grandfather who is a linguist specialising in Semitic languages, and her own life-changing experiences as a new mother, to weave together a colourful tapestry unlike anything she has released to date.
Sundfør wrote blómi, above all, as a love letter to her young daughter, a missive to a precious new life entering an unstable world. In the title track, which is anchored around a lush, driving piano arrangement and skin-tingling saxophones, Susanne imparts all her wisdom to her daughter, urging her to take her words with her through life. Pairing her lyrics with hints of Norse language and mythology, Susanne harks to indigenous Nordic cultures who built matrilineal societies and worshipped divine feminine deities. These roots, this passing from mother to child, is at the core of the music on blómi.
While Susanne’s previous albums, such as Ten Love Songs and The Brothel (which topped the Norwegian charts) established her as a singular voice in Norway’s modern musical history, blómi is a decidedly bold evolutionary jump.
With its 10 expertly crafted tracks of exquisite songwriting, blómi represents a complex and rewarding new chapter in a visionary artist’s established career.”
Love this song. Thank you for another Norway week! ❤
Next time I recommend revisiting some previous favorites, and maybe a few you haven’t heard yet…
Sigrid (her third album might be out by then), Highasakite, Emilie Nicolas, Sissel, Kalandra, Ina Wroldsen, SKAAR, Julie Bergan, Wardruna.
this is not simply a music video, it's her wedding. it's almost like being a voyeur, so close to all her family and friends.
It's pretty cool that she would share moments like this!
Out of all the singers this week, I'm thinking Suzanne's voice is my favorite. This song really showcased the beautiful sweetness of her voice. I'm going to listen to more of her music. Just lovely. Thanks Bob.
(Funny story. Hope you learned from the experience. But, because you've told us the story you obviously didn't. lol Keep trying.)
Apparently it is about her husband. The name Alyosha is taken from The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky, because apparently it is a characther she feels shares many qualities with her husband. Apparently this was said by her on her instagram.
Alyosha is the goofiest guy among the brothers Karamazov
Great reaction Bob. I really like the video too. It does match so well the beautyful song. You reacted a year ago to Susanne's song When the Lord which is part of the score for the documentary movie Self Portrait by Margareth Olin, a highly appreciated director here in Norway. She directed this video too, I chatted with both her and Susanne during the release session of this video, they clearly have a connection.
And yes, lucky guy André who got to marry her, he plays sax in her band I believe.
I just came across your channel because you have had Norway week. I'm Norwegian and I was young in the 80s, and listened to a lot of music back then. Since then there was less time for music, and now I discover and rediscover music I missed along the way. It is especially fun to see that people react to Norwegian artists, so I for sure will spend time on your channel. Since you have a special ear for Norwegian artists, I must recommend that you listen to the MTV Unplugged version of an old classic, Take on me by a-ha. The song strikes in a completely different way, and is a must for anyone who knows the original. I also have to mention that most Americans think a-ha is just Take on me - nothing could be further from the truth. The band released their eleventh album, True North, a year ago and I recommend you give it some attention (I suggest the title track, True North, as well as I'm In, Between the Halo and the Horn, Make me understand and Bumblebee) - of course in addition to previous music from a- ha if it falls within your concept.
Alyosha means Alexander in Russian......Very nice reaction......I truly love this awesome track
Could you please react to Sissel Kyrkjebø singing "You'll Never Walk Alone"?