The amazing EP version of the song “Always” by Formoe is a warm hug of music that is still present in the memory after the last chord sounds. The latest release by this Norwegian artist has a whispered confession feel as the synthesizer pop edges are blended with the drama of cinema to explore the emotional nuances of the dance of love and release. As soon as it begins, the album version of “Always” engulfs you in a sphere of emotions that fly freely, tender melodies that are carried like feathers by powerful beats and solid guitar chords that balance the heart.
The highlight is the eponymous track, a soulful blues performance by June Baltzersen that teems with emotionality and the yearning vocals of a female voice that brings out the raw vulnerability; an instrumental version that lets the dreamy atmospheres breathe; and one that is augmented with choral harmonies and brings the track to something almost ethereal. With every iteration, a new lens to the theme is provided, transforming a simple pop song to a multi-faceted jewel.
The production, led by Alf Emil Eik, who has also worked his magic with A-ha and Secret Garden, and Roar Farstad, seems to bring additional layers of polish, making the longer album version feel both epic and immersive, and contributing to the traction it has already enjoyed in such places as Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, and the US. The most touching thing is how *Always* reflects the light turns of life, its subtle arrangements inviting one to think without perturbing.
It is the music that creeps into your consciousness as you are on a lonely stroll and it evokes a feeling of nostalgia and hope at the same time.A teaser of what the upcoming debut album of Formoe, “The Beginning of the End” will bring in terms of going deeper into matters of heartbreak, change and rebirth, this is an interesting signal. “Always” is an emotive listen that reminds us why we use music--as a way to be seen, a way to release, and to cling on just a little longer. Formoe is carving a space in the Nordic scene that’s all his own, and I’m already yearning for more.
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