For fans, it was good news that Norwegian group
Madrugada returned in 2022 with the excellent album
Chimes At Midnight. Perhaps just as good news is that Madrugada singer Sivert Høyem didn't park his solo career with it. Madrugada was forced to quit in 2008 after the death of guitarist Robert Burås. As a forced solo artist, Høyem used his pleasantly warm and dark baritone voice for a more subdued
… repertoire with influences from Americana and folk. It is no different on his seventh album, although it can thunder considerably on On An Island. In a collection of imploring songs, Høyem mainly reflects on love and what can go wrong in it. The way he builds up the music and his storytelling to sometimes savage finales does remind one of the early solo work of Nick Cave. His bronze voice is always the mighty weapon with which Høyem effortlessly pulls you into a dark and melancholic beauty. (MR)more
