A Temporary Dive - Ane Brun Album Review

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Album Review

Blonde Norwegian troubadour Ane Brun, now a resident in Sweden, released her second solo album on May 15. Defining her own niche and style takes some doing these days. She's pulled it off magnificently on Temporary Dive. Vocally reminiscent of a lilting Bjork (sometimes Roisin Murphy (Moloko) / Joni Mitchell), and a Nick Drake musical stable mate, she stands alone in the ubiquitous world of female singer-songwriters. What's she's created is an understated masterpiece that will probably never reach the status it deserves in the UK. It's already gone platinum in her homeland, where she's a bit of a super-star. Sublime, sophisticated and serene, it's not going to have instant appeal. That said, it's more than worth a listen, another listen, and another listen. Such is the magnetic and beguiling effect she has: when you're hooked there's no letting go. Admittedly, on first listen it doesn't register. When it does it's quite mesmerising.

A combination of intimate acoustic musings by Brun and sweeping strings by various musicians, make potent musical statements in themselves. Other instruments at various stages include, lap steel, mandolin, horns, cello, glockenspiel, piano, dobro, tuba, down to the simple triangle. Then there's the achingly beautiful singing - delicate, articulate, profound and deeply connecting with the listener, despite its melancholic leanings. The vulnerability is there for all to hear, almost at S.O.S. pitch - Temporary Dive best shows. Occasionally sparse - Where Friend Rhymes With End and This Voice, it meanders into haunting expansive soundscapes found on Balloon Ranger, all kept at a sufficiently minimalist level to be effective, particularly highlighted on My Lover Will Go. Laid In Earth is a crack at adapting a Purcell aria from Dido and Aeneas. An up-beat surprise is Song No.6 where she's accompanied by stellar singer Ron Sexsmith, which raises the mood temporarily. Either way it all works with clinical precision.

By definition, it's an album about lost love and the fallout.

Verdict: Not to be missed at any cost -a real gem!

Elly Roberts