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(Groovescooter Records/Creative Vibes)
Latin-American dancing. It was the furthest thing from my mind as Elk slid from my hands, through my hi-fi, into my conscience. Hypnotically fading in from black with Film Noir, the opening track, Inga Liljeström sets the scene for the next one hour using the language of film and Latin dance.
Sydney-based Inga Liljeström might be familiar as the guest vocalist on innumerable records from the likes of Gerling, Friendly, Itch-E & Scratch-E, Ens, and d.i.g. But Liljeström is more than a jobbing session vocalist, having now written and programmed two albums. With her production skills she is certainly updating the term “singer-songwriter” for the 21st century.
As the textures and pulses of trip-hop envelop the soundscape, the comparisons to the voice of Björk, the lo-fi musings of Portishead, and the lush cinematic washes of Goldfrapp’s debut album are inevitable. But while Goldfrapp have moved towards a more pumpin’ synth-based sound with their latest album, Liljeström makes use of the six-piece band that she has assembled.
The picked guitar arpeggio in All Of This is arresting in its simplicity, and already feels like I’ve known it a lifetime. Liljeström’s caressing delivery here tells a story more powerfully than the lyric itself.
One of the most engaging and evocative tracks is Diamond Horseshoe, reigniting the flame of old Hollywood music that has long since faded from our screens. Very convincing as the theme to a lost James Bond film, the addition of Peter Miller’s forlorn whistling again recalls a certain duo from Bath, England.
Shifting film genres to perhaps the introspective Western, 29 Poisons opens on a Spanish guitar melody that is bathed in the aesthetics of both Morricone and Villa-Lobos. Liljeström’s voice again adapts to a track that takes its cues from another interesting source.
There’s a range of other songs waiting to discovered on this album. Phoenix, currently on Triple J rotation, is an excursion into electronica where programmed beats and reversed samples are rounded off with double bass. Lira is also captivating with its magical rhythm and intriguing samples.
A very diverse album that is sure to sound and feel different on multiple listenings. Just let your mood guide the way.
For more info check out http://www.ingaliljestrom.com/ or http://www.groovescooter.com/.
