published on
https://orcd.co/unfold-synnesanden
Unfold is the fifth solo album from the experimental pop artist Synne Sanden. The album is composed by Sanden and produced by the well known producer Lars Horntveth. He has produced for Susanne Sundfør, Fieh, Aha and Kimbra, and is also a member and bandleader of Jaga Jazzist.
Synne Sanden writes about the things we find difficult and vulnerable to talk about, what we are ashamed of, about personal growth and healing. Gaffa writes «she has succeeded in finding her own voice, both musically as well as lyrically». Synne Sanden combines the catchy and the beautiful, with the quirky, expressive and raw and creates songs and soundscapes where you can hear her unique signature.
The album Unfold is about the consequences of the respectless and damaging sexuality, and about the value in the healing, healthy and beautiful intimacy. It's about taking back your body and sexuality, after boundaries have been crossed. She writes about creating a new safety, where it ́s been unsafe, and how the good and important sexuality gives nearness, vitality, presence and a sense of belonging, and how these painful sexual experiences can make you feel weak and small. The album is written as a therapeutic project, and as a reaction on the unhealthy, superficial and suppressing sexuality in the society, that creates emotional pain for so many.
On the album you can hear vocals, beats, moon drums, rhodes, accordion, drums, synths, harp, strings, bass clarinet, vibrafone and pedal steel. The album is produced by Lars Horntveth, where some songs are co-produced by Synne Sanden, Kim Reenskaug and Peter Estdahl. The co-producers are playing on the album, together with Synne ́s permanent band consisting of: Julie Kleive, Henrik Schmidt, Lars Fremmerlid and Jørgen Apeness. Ellen Bødtker is guesting on harp on two songs and Lise Sørensen is playing strings on several songs.
The album has a unique sound which is constantly developing, from the minimalistic and delicate, to the light and playful, to the raw and aggressive, to the grand, filmatic and powerful. The album is filled with songs that can make you both dance and cry, and is filled with sensitivity and explosiveness. It describes anger, sorrow and shame, on a honest, personal, emotional, at the same time universal way. Bergens Tidende means she ́s a singer pouring out her soul when she sings, and that's exactly what she does. She conveys her emotions and strength, from her deepest layer, and you can hear her doing this in a very large degree, on Unfold.