Darling West - Interpretations
It hasn’t been long since Darling West released their critically acclaimed fourth album We'll Never Know Unless We Try, but due to a pandemic and canceled tour, Mari and Tor Egil Kreken suddenly had plenty of time on their hands.
That unexpected creative period time was spent in the studio, where they created their own interpretations of selected songs that they love, but which in the original version are far from their own musical landscape.
The band itself says: "Usually we do not have much time available to just enjoy ourselves in the studio, but when the pandemic hit hard we saw our average to spend a few days in a little new territory with our good friends and regular musicians Christer Slaaen and Thomas Gallatin, where the former has also been in the driver's seat with a view to production. The songs are mixed according to all the rules of art by Kai Worley. We chose three great songs from three different decades we have entered the Darling West universe, now also interspersed with clearer inspiration from current favorites such as Ethan Gruska and Khruangbin. It has been a fun, and not least educational, little journey we look forward to showing the result of.”
The lead single “Pamela" is an interpretation of the American pop band Toto, a band and a song especially Mari has a somewhat sweet story.
"When I was 14 there was a guy who was in love with me, and who was also a very big fan of Toto. He often wrote love letters, and always drew a heart under the signature. Inside the heart was, without exception, ‘In loving memory of Jeff Porcaro.' That is, the deceased drummer in Toto. I did not know who it was until he explained it, and it was in a way my first encounter with a real music nerd.”
Along with “Pamela,” fans can hear a take on Dua Lipa’s massive hit “Don’t Start Now,” which Wide Open Country called "a rootsy, ethereal post-breakup mantra.”
The final single is “Bulletproof,” is a hauntingly beautiful rendition of La Roux’s chart toping 2009 dance hit. In essence, Interpretations showcases Darling West’s incredible ability to make a song all their own while still honoring the magic that’s found in the original songs they first fell in love with.
INFO
Darling West - Interpretations
Art. no: JANSENS217
Released: January 15th, 2021
Tracklist:
1. Don’t Start Now
2. Pamela
3. Bulletproof
SINGLES
Pamela - released September 18th, 2020
Don’t Start Now - released November 6th, 2020
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«For all its sonic variety, there’s a consistent thread of honesty and, dare we say, authenticity to this record. To that end, when Darling West approaches heavy themes, it does so directly, tenderly, and believably»
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