Norwegian pop princess Hanne Hukkelberg returns with third album, Blood From A Stone on 20th April. Completely different from previous albums Little Things and Rykestrasse 68, Hanne continues her melodic journey in a different direction, influenced by her past in numerous bands, and also the likes of PJ Harvey, Sonic Youth, The Pixies and numerous new wave groups.
An album windswept through pure musical eccentricity, Blood From a Stone is a unique and beautiful creation. With a voice the spit of Nina Persson (soloist and of The Cardigans), singer-songwriter Hanne has put together a modern yet timeless collection of tracks no particular stand-outs present that gets deeper and deeper with every listen.
Every track offers another facet of Hannes deep creativity. No One But Yourself is an eclectic mix of squeaky recorder, screamy haunting echoes layered with fierce guitar riffery and close whispers.
No Mascara Tears starts as a gentle and dreamy number, meeting with Hannes accented vocals as it builds with choral backing and dizzying synths. Seventeen is a catchy and delicate number as it begins, ending with driving and addictive riffs making it seem like the song is ending way too early! Title track Blood From A Stone sees Hanne exercise her voice as a whole new instrument. Its smooth, it's raw, it's creamy and captivating.
Whilst in the studio, Hanne sourced a myriad of instruments to feed her hunger for unique sounds including train doors, kitchen utensils, flagpoles, seagulls and clogs with no regular drum kit and most of the vocals being first-takes. The album itself was written on the Norwegian island of Senja, 300km north of the Arctic Circle, and could explain why this is a new course for Hanne. Blood From A Stone sounds quite unlike her previous work and pushes the barriers of her creativity to the limit as she takes her influences from indie-rock.
Everyone should have a listen to this album at least once. Hanne Hukkelberg is playing at Londons Bush Hall on 12th May as part of her whistle-stop tour of Europe. Highly recommended.