| Pulling together such acts as Röyksopp, Dimmu Borgir, Madrugada, Turbonegro and Sondre Lerche in one category might be heresy for some. Then again, the selection shows a fraction of the wealth of talent and creativity found on the Norwegian pop/rock/metal/hip-hop/electronica scenes. The ability to collaborate across genres and draw inspiration from other forms of expression are instrumental when one are to explain why Norwegian popular music sounds so coherent, integral, distinctive, organic and real. From Magnets timeless pop gems to Satyricons earth shattering aggression and Annies chewing-gum pastiches there are a few factors that remain the same: ingenuity, identity and a will to create something thats entirely new. Hip-hop, electronica, black-metal, pop, rock all of the so familiar styles have found new homes on the Norwegian scene being treated in new ways by artists and producers that have their very own approaches to the aesthetics of popular music. The result is a set of sounds that lack equals on the global stage the Norwegian sound is unique. |
