A Whirlwind Journey

Eccentric Norwegian singer-songwriter Ane Brun has released When I’m Free, her first album since 2013’s wildly successful Rarities. Brun’s haunting vocals and whimsical arrangements are more prominent than ever in When I’m Free, the result being a sweeping and eerily mystifying record.

Every track on When I’m Free possesses an undeniable air of mystery, partly due to the fact that Brun’s distinctive smoky voice, boasting just a hint of a Norwegian accent, has the tantalizing power to make any track seem just that bit more compelling and enigmatic. Brun certainly ups the ante in terms of a sultriness factor on tracks such as “You Lit My Fire”. The rich and measured bass line sets the perfect steady and drawling backdrop for lyrics like “Nothing can hold me back / Oh, you lit my fire”, and “I want to kiss the feet of all those women / Spray my body in gold.” “You Lit My Fire” passes the torch to “Directions” perfectly, continuing the sensual lounge vibe, but managing to throw sparkling piano melodies and muted guitar riffs into the mix.

Ms. Brun seems to possess a certain aptitude in terms of changing up her musical style, as she takes us on a whirlwind journey through When I’m Free with all of her varying vocal styles and genre bending melodies. At certain points during “All We Want Is Love,” a sweet and refreshingly simple ballad, Brun is almost reminiscent of a more cookie-cutter version of Joni Mitchell with her acoustic crooning. But come the next track, “Still Waters”, she’s back on her high horse, bringing Adele-esque soulful anthemic pop to the table. When I’m Free is an incredibly accessible record in every sense of the term, with remarkable listenability and unfailingly infectious choruses. Brun picks up the slack where other female performers may fail, as her unique style and vocal versatility set her apart from the crowd, therefore being anointed with the much-deserved title of singer-songwriter powerhouse.