| 
Review: Jack Foley
ENIGMATIC Norwegian, Magnet (aka Even Johansen) returns with
his second album, The Tourniquet, in suitably impressive
fashion.
Having won many fans with his massive debut, On Your Side
(which included the hit, Lay Lady Lay, and provided soundtrack
fodder for everything from The OC and Six Feet Under to Mr and
Mrs Smith), Magnet has followed it up with an even more invigorating
sound that truly establishes him as an artist of genuine warmth.
Opening track and former single, Hold On, is indicative
of what to expect; a slow-building track that delivers plenty
of warmth and hope.
It may begin in brooding, reflective fashion, but it includes
some wonderful electronic flourishes and looks set to become a
genuinely uplifting anthem.
Or, as Even himself puts it: "It’s like a soul ballad,
with a Beach Boys outro, and it means? Well I think it means what
all good soul ballads mean – there are good times a comin’!"
The rest of the album unfolds in similarly emotive fashion, captivating
listeners with its dreamy lyrics, laidback vibe and seductive
melodies.
Fans of the likes of Badly Drawn Boy, Crowded House and The Beatles
are sure to be impressed.
Highlights include the tender third track, The Pacemaker,
with its vivid chorus ('take my hand, I will follow, only you
can slow this down'), and the breathtakingly beautiful ballad,
Fall At Your Feet, which reaches the same sort of emotional
intensity as a Coldplay track, albeit with softer melodies.
Both tracks hint at Magnet's trademark melancholy style before
punctuating them with some genuinely uplifting moments - both
lyrically and musically.
But as the artist himself states, The Tourniquet is
more about hope than sadness and the music is frequently inspiring.
There are sad moments, however, such as the achingly poignant
Miss Her So, which begins with a few gentle guitar chords,
before delivering a truly heartbreaking chorus (given added significance
by the power of Magnet's vocals).
Believe is another gem, a dreamy and hopelessly endearing
indie gem that includes an invigorating chorus.
It's clear that as an artist, Magnet is growing in confidence
and pushing himself in ever-more ambitious directions.
The Tourniquet is a stunning follow-up that really ought
not to be missed.
Related stories: Find
out more about Magnet
|
