a-ha – True North (2022)
One of the greatest pop acts from the ’80s – a-ha – are back with a new album where they lean into their Nordic roots; the superbly crafted ”True North”. Composed of 12 songs – six by keyboardist Magne Furuholmen, six by guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy – the collection marks a new beginning for the group, who recorded the LP during November 2021 in Bodø, the Norwegian city located 90km above the Arctic Circle.
“First, we had the idea to record a studio session live,” explains Paul. “Then, to film a studio session. That grew into more of a production with the Norwegian orchestra, the Arctic Philharmonic, who we have collaborated with.” The resulting album is a multi-layered piece of wonderful melodies that explores not only the state of the world today, but also the group’s place on a post-pandemic planet plagued by climate concerns.
For a group whose foundations lie in synth-heavy new wave, ”True North” is a bold move, but the result is a standout album in their catalogue and one that’s sure to be remembered as a highlight of their golden years…
