Let's give thanks and rejoice that Nordic god, Tommy Fredvang is back with a brand new single - HURRAH! Since he last charmed with his Justin Beiber cover (review here) & anthem for tolerance and acceptance Make It Better (review here), he's been busy in the studio putting music together for our listening pleasure. And here it is :) The song, entitled Vampyrene (meaning Vampires), is sung in Norwegian - and that's half the appeal. It actually doesn't matter that you may or may not understand the lyrics. The pulsing of the music & the passion in Tommy's voice ensures that the story is told through emotional nuance & empowered performance. The stabbing synths create an eerie feel while the fuzzy backbeat add a frisson of danger to the song - all the while Tommy's engaging vocal flawlessly switches between tentative, vulnerable storyteller to soaring, masterful narrator of events. He becomes symbiotic with the music so that together they propel the tune to dizzying heights of giddy excellence. It's skillful mix of synthy 80s influences & assertive electro-rock makes it the perfect song for Tommy's Norwegian vocals but it's appeal is definitely universal.
EDIT 1 (4th June 2013): Well what a nice chap Tommy is. He sent me the English translation of the lyrics which helped me with my understanding of the song. Although I still think the emotions shine through in the music and vocals, it certainly helps having these and illuminates the central story of the tune. Basically the vampire in the title is a metaphor for a secret love; hidden away and never allowed to see the light of day. Shrouded in mystery and longing, this gives a new resonance to the musical backdrop which perfectly match the lyrical content with their atmospheric yearnings. As described above, Tommy veers between vulnerability of the danger and embracing it through soaring vocal delivery. Perfectly done; elegantly delivered.
EDIT 2 (6th June 2013): As my old nan would say at anything vaguely surprising, well I'll go to the foot of our stairs. God knows what it means and I live in a bungalow so it makes it actually impossible. Anyway, what I'm trying to express is surprise and joy that a club mix of the track has surfaced. Hurrah! Clever use of the pounding bass and scintillating synths turn the song from dark and moody lovers taboo to genuine celebration of the tingling excitement such naughty shenanighans can bring. It's a thumping track that reinvents and is bound to get you on your feet for a shimmy. Amazes.
(And now back to the original post)...
And as chance would have it, there's an artful video to accompany it - here's essentially what you need to know about that...
- It's perfectly OK to linger on the first few seconds of the video and drink in the hotness of Tommy walking through the twilight streets. Plus his outfit is pretty darn stunning too...
- We then see Tommy having some couples time on the couch with his lady friend. I'm going to call her Molly as it would be rude to just keep calling her lady friend. That's what my mom calls my brothers girlfriends when she doesn't approve...
- There is lots of sensual touching going on but for some reason Molly decides she will go out rather than continue to be touched by Tommy. Is she crazy?
- Not to worry, while she peruses the streets with her unfeasibly flowing locks, Tommy & Molly get some more flashbacks to their canoodling in the apartment. In front on the window no less! It's a voyeurs dream :)
- There's a real tender moment at 1m02s where Tommy just ever so gently nudges Molly's nose. It's beautifully lit and beautifully filmed. I found it utterly fascinating and lovely...
- While Molly is back on the streets (though presumably not in a lady of the night sort of way), Tommy takes to the beach in a rather lovely blue shirt-vest combo that shows off his rather toned physique. It has inspired me to do 50 more stomach crunches than normal today and not to have a cookie with my morning Starbucks...
- What is really clever about the video is how it is daylight outside yet the muted tones make it constantly look dusk, tying into the vampire theme of the title and keeping you guessing as to whether Tommy or Molly are going to bare fangs...
- (Ultimately the video is far more subtle than that - it's all hint & conjecture & undertones which makes it a far more fascinating piece of work)
- Back in the apartment, there is some major smooching going on and watch out at 1m50 ladies (and fella loving fellas) because Tommy gets his top off! He certainly has a lot of body art that requires closer studying :P
- Afterwards (because I know that satisfied-asleep-on-the-pillow look well my friends!) Molly cautiously gets up and quietly locks the door. NOT AS QUIETLY AS SHE THOUGHT - she's woken Tommy and he's dripping wet in the shower. This video just keeps getting better and better :D
- BLIMEY! Now Molly has got her top off in some artfully shot nudity. There certainly is a palpable chemistry between the two and the wet shower scene is on fire...
- Ultimately it's up to you to decide whether one or both are more than they seem - and that's half the genius of the video. Glorious.
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