Mellemblond "En jordisk chance" (2021)

En jordisk chance

release date: Nov. 19, 2021

format: digital (11 x Files, FLAC)

[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,84]

producer: Mads Brinch, Adrian Aurelius, Jakob Høyer

label: Møs Møs - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "For at noget kan blomstre" - 2. "Atomernes spil" (4 / 5) - 3. "Blæsten i træerne" - 7. "Det der gik i hjertet" - 8. "Hjertets tro" - 9. "Ved at vi skal leve" - 10. "Nattetåge"

6th studio album from Mellemblond released a single year following Solregn. The tracks have alledgedly been composed at the same time as Solregn, but then issued the following year. After all, it's quite a different collection of songs we encounter here. Kristoffer Munck Mortensen - aka Mellemblond - has many faces to showcase, and as he released Solregn it was undoubtedly also his idea to present various songs with a common expression. That album was predominantly acustic with an almost minimalist expression, which was a new side to his talent, and as a contrast, this new collection draws more on some of the qualities you will find on his two albums: Fra et sted (2015) and Guldlokzonen (2018) although, they weren't exactly similar but in terms of arrangements and instrumentation are close. He now mix styles, he previously has exelled with. It's soft melancholic compositions, more raw uptempo rockers, and you'll also find a rather new adventurousness with polished chamber pop. At the same time, it's a style testifying to early 70s, a stream of consciousness wound up on swamp rock-inspiration mixed with folk and modern indie pop in a perfect original tone.

The front cover fits nicely to the content: Munck Mortensen is stationary positioned in bare feet holding his electric guitar in something ressembling a firewood shed. It's directly relatable, signalling a connection to a simple life. Mortensen narrates sincerely and straight-forwardly, and on En jordisk chance the fine lyrics are accompanied by an appropriate amount of electricity and noise without making it wild or pompous.

Kristoffer Munck Mortensen is a rare modern original. He sings and plays distinctively without sounding like foreign examples, and when doing so, he only seems to follow a fundamental desire to communicate. Had he been born in the US or in Britain, he would have outshined John Mayer and Ed Sheeran, but luckily, he wasn't - then we do have someone, they cannot touch.

At this advanced stage of the year, En jordisk chance enlists as Danish Album of the Year and simultaneously, it also arrives as one of the best albums of 2021.

Highly recommended.

[ Gaffa.dk 4 / 6, Jyllands-Posten 5 / 6 stars ]

Mellemblond "Solregn" (2020)

Solregn

release date: Sep. 11, 2020

format: vinyl (MØS 017) / digital (11 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,88]

producer: Brian Mørk Hansen

label: Møs Møs - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Hvor er magien" - 2. "Vildrede" - 3. "Et øje" - 4. "I mit stille sind" - 5. "Levende stemmer" - 6. "Mørkt stof" - 7. "Solregn" - 8. "Vinterskæbner" - 10. "Vågnede en morgen"

5th studio album from Mellemblond aka Kristoffer Munck Mortensen as follow-up to Guldlokzonen (May 2018), is like that issued on the small independent label Møs Møs located in Copenhagen.

This new album is exclusively acoustic tracks - of which five of eleven are Kristoffer Munck Mortensen's own reinterpretations of older songs, while the other six are new compositions. I imagine the 'old' songs have been given another present life through live versions and via the restrictive (long) quarantine period that was still a reality in relation with the release. The track "Vildrede" is a duet, also released as a single, credited Mellemblond and Kira Skov. In addition to Munck Mortensen (and Kira Skov on track #2), only other musician participating here is the experienced jazz bassist Nils Davidsen, who is also credited on cello.

Solregn has garnered positive feedback and the song "Vinterskæbner" from Guldlokzonen and "Et øje" from Lysvågen (Mar. 2013) have received some airplay on (national radio) Danmarks Radio P3 and P4, and the album is also a quite unique release. Mellemblond has been a musical project right from the start, where it is clear that the poetic side has played a major part. Munck Mortensen has his own distinctive vocal, but it's especially the lyrical dimension of his songs that elevates the compositions to something other than ordinary pop music. In this way, he has managed to bring something other into the music than what we usually find in Danish-language music, and there is a consonance with late Eik Skaløe (from Steppeulvene), Povl Dissing (who sings Benny Andersen), and Trille, who are all musicians with a distinct lyrical quality and who have bridged to a textual universe much closer to that of author Tove Ditlevsen than the majority of other Danish songwriters have succesfully made attempts to build a kindred relationship with.

The gentle post-production, and the completely simple soundscape make the lyrics stand out even more clearly. You may think what you want concerning doing reinterpretations of one's own melodies - but this way, at least they get an intentional new and different life, which in a way reminds me of how British band Tindersticks in 2013 succesfully made the album Across Six Leap Years.

Solregn is downright excellent in places. Heartfelt and sensual. This is music with great depth.

Great recommendation from here.

[ 👍Gaffa.dk 5 / 6 stars ]

// - - -

3 versions of "Et øje" by Mellemblond

• 2012 single version
• 2013 album version
• 2020 acoustic version

Best of 2015:Mellemblond "Fra et sted" (2015)

Fra et sted
release date: Apr. 20, 2015
format: vinyl (Mellem 02 lp) / digital (10 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,12]
producer: Mads Brinch Nielsen
label: Mellemblond (self-released) - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Fra et sted" - 2. "Ryster" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "Ned i et hul" (4 / 5) - 5. "Glimtvis" - 6. "Jeg må le" - 7. "Nord" - 8. "Til ilden" (4,5 / 5) - 9. "Barfodet"

[ SoundCloud playlist ] [ full album ]

3rd studio album by Mellemblond (aka Kristoffer Munck Mortensen) following two years after the album Lysvågen has so far only been released on vinyl, for streaming through various services, and for digital download as a self-released album.

Not only has the album been established with a strong production sound balancing the style somewhere between garage rock, neo-psychedelia and singer / songwriter, but it also contains a number of truly great songs, which makes this music-project one of the most interesting Danish acts at the moment. This is not yet another artist simply copying styles and movements on the international music scene. Instead, it's highly original with reminiscences of, or a unique conglomerate of psychedelic rock of the late 60s, swamp rock of the early 70s and folk rock in a 60s / 70s / 80s kind-of-style.

I really enjoy this album, which I initially only purchased for digital download. The streaming and download sound quality was, however, for the first years limited to mp3-format in 320kbps. I really missed having the opportunity to be able to purchase a cd with liner notes and listening to high-end sound quality, but I guess, that's how things are to be for the time being. Artists who have little backup from a record label need to fund everything themselves and quite naturally they (have to) choose what makes things go around, and then most consumers are satisfied with Spotyfie and bApple Music services... as well as a Sönos [mono !] speaker that goes well with the furniture... [ffs!!]. Fortunately, the album also comes in vinyl format, and that is the right choice.

On previous releases Mortensen provided great tracks and quite original lyrics, but here it just seems like he really has found his feet as a more comfortable songwriter and on top of that also showcases an ability of composing simple, elegant and truly sincere music cut to the bone.

Fra et sted sums up the past six decades of folk rock and psychedelic rock with bonds to the best songwriting talents combined with a quality stamp as warranty of Danish poetry. It's truly remarkable and easily the so far best album from this gifted artist. It also happens to be my absolute favourite of 2015, a rare verdict when comparing to international releases but this is already an all-time favourite and naturally a highly recommended album.

[ Gaffa.dk 5 / 6, Undertoner 4,5 / 6 stars ]

//--- EDIT 2021:

As of 2021 the album has been made available in FLAC-format (Qobuz.com + bandcamp.com). ---//

2015 Favourite releases: 1. Mellemblond Fra et sted - 2. Paul Weller Saturns Pattern - 3. Alabama Shakes Sound & Color

Mellemblond "Lysvågen" (2013)

repress

Lysvågen
release date: Mar. 25, 2013
format: cd / vinyl (repress - Mellem 01 LP)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,66]
producer: Mads Brinch, Adrian Aurelius, Mellemblond
label: Mellemblond / Tigerspring - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Vågnede en morgen" - 2. "Et øje" (4 / 5) - 3. "Swimmingpoolens blå" - 5. "Drejer" - 6. "Riv" - 7. "Regner ind" - 8. "Hen over midnat" (single version feat. Steffen Brandt) - 10. "Lysvågen"

2nd full-length studio album by Mellemblond follows more than four years after the debut Ude af mine hænder (Jan. 2009). What had been initiated as a regular band has now transformed into a one-man project with music composed by vocalist Kristoffer Munck Mortensen, who also plays guitar and keyboard on the album. Other musicians on the album are former band members, which include Jens Hein on bass and keyboard, Adrian Aurelius on drums and keyboard, Mads Brinch on guitar, bass, and keyboard, and with Silas Tinglef on drums.

Since the 2009 album, the music has turned less neo-psychedelic and more indie pop and blues rock-founded with a distinct singer / songwriter profile. Munck Mortensen really has a characteristic vocal and he writes fine lyrics [in Danish], although, some may argue that he has lost some of the unique qualities in the more distorted psychedelic universe you'll find on the debut; however, it's no longer tied to the music of the late 60s and early 70s, and instead it builds on various influences from indie pop, folk rock as well as blues rock á la Dire Straits.

The album points in several directions, or you could say it shares a certain fluidity in terms of style, which by no means makes it less original - because that's exactly one of its strongest assets as a one of a kind.

I most certainly enjoy it.

[ Gaffa.dk 5 / 6 stars ]

original cover

Mellemblond "Et øje" (2012), single

Et øje, single
release date: Nov. 12, 2012
format: digital
[single rate: 4 / 5] [3,86]

Single track: "Et øje"

A fine single release by Mellemblond from the band's forthcoming album. This shows the continued change of style more evidently away from the distorted guitars and simple production into more contemporary champer pop. Here the lead vocalist Kristoffer Munck Mortensen sounds more like Danish Lars H.U.G. than the late Eik Skaløe from Steppeulvene as he tended do assimilate on the debut.

Mellemblond "Elastik" (2011) (ep)

Elastik, ep
release date: Nov. 21, 2011
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,54]
producer: Adrian Aurelius

label: Auditorium - nationality: Denmark

Tracklist: 1. "Elastik" - 2. "Mørkt stof" - 3. "På vippen" (live in studio) - 4. "Smertensbarn" (live in studio) - 5. "Diset, døsig"

5-track ep by Mellemblond following nearly 3 years after the album Ude af mine hænder (Jan. 2009) with live-drummer of The Raveonettes, Adrian Aurelius.

Elastik shows us that the band has exchanged its swamp rock and psychedelic rock style for a more folk rock-oriented style, albeit still founded in the singer / songwriter genre, and something which here makes me think of the late Henrik Hall.

[ Undertoner 5 / 6 stars ]

Mellemblond "Ude af mine hænder" (2009)

Ude af mine hænder [debut]
release date: Jan. 26, 2009
format: cd (TBL 125)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,58]
producer: Adrian Aurelius & Mellemblond
label: Auditorium / A:larm - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1."Lyd over land" - 2. "Alle veje" - 3. "Ishånd" - 4. "Minder om lys" - 6. "Jeg rør' dig ikke mer' " - 8. "Lille fugl" - 12. "Dråbeglans"

Studio album debut by the Danish band Mellemblond following one year after the 5-track ep debut Mellemblond was actually pretty well-received - at least in the Danish press. The audience and the radio stations have not read the reviews, I guess, 'cause you hardly ever heard the album on any stations, which is really sad but that's how it is, and that's how it's always been in tiny Denmark: The established names [have labels to pay to] get airplay - the rest are too strange, undefined, and lack similarities with international names, or whatever motifs reason this attitude. Anyhow, two of the tracks (#3 and #6) are also found on the debut ep.

My first impression of this album was rather bland but I rapidly changed mind to really like it. An initial verdict had me settled on 'interesting' and a mediocre 2,5 to 3 stars. Then after less than two months I was much more generous and rated the album 3,5 out of 5. They have a distinct style, and despite the simplistic and deliberate lo-fi production sound - which adds a garage rock feel to it - it really suits the songs in a way that makes me think of the legendary Danish band Steppeulvene and their 1967 debut Hip - also thanks to singer (and main composer) and guitarist Kristoffer Munck Mortensen's vocal - in a mix with early Dire Straits and great swamp rockers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, although, that's not suffice as the music is highly original despite the bonds to the past.

This was the first album I listened to by Mellemblond.

Not their best but more than fine.

[ Gaffa.dk 5 / 6 stars ]

Mellemblond "Mellemblond" (2008) (ep)

Mellemblond, ep

release date: Jan. 1, 2008

format: digital

[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,48]

producer: Adrian Aurelius & Mellemblond

label: Auditorium / A:larm - nationality: Denmark

Tracklist: 1. "Ishånd" - 2. "Jeg rør' dig ikke mer' " - 3. "Træernes triumf" - 4. "Dage og nætter" - 5. "Ingen bilers horn"

5-track ep album debut by Mellemblond consisting of songwriter Kristoffer Munck Mortensen on guitar, and vocals, Jens Hein on bass, Silas Tinglef on drums, Jarno Varstad on jew's harp, and with Jacob Munck Mortensen on trombone.

The style is clearly neo-psychedelic with indie pop or indie folk and the songs are nicely held together by Munck Mortensen's poignant narration and unique lyrics with a certain bond to Steppeulvene and Eik Skalø.

Despite this was the band's first album release, I have only found this after the second full-length album Lysvågen (2013).

Mellemblond

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Mellemblond is a Danish band (2006?) from Copenhagen. With initial changes the band came to consist of Kristoffer Munck Mortensen (vocals & guitar), Mads Brinch (guitar), Jens Hein (bass), Adrian Aurelius (drums), Silas Tinglef (drums). After 2012 the band name refers to Kristoffer Munck Mortensen's one-man music project with studio aid from many of the former band members. The musical style was initially neo-psychedelic singer / songwriter (the music centered on Kristoffer's lyrics) and blues rock, and some swamp rock, but it has evolved to a more quiet and simple version of the psychedelic style and a more accentuated singer / songwriter profile with lyrics in Danish. I also think that you may hear Steppeulvene - maybe in the nasal vocal of Kristoffer Munck Mortensen resembling that of Eik Skalø, and also somewhat in the swamp-like (Creedence Clearwater?) distorted guitar sound that is mostly heard on the debut album. 

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