Opium Cartel, The: Valor

The Opium Cartel is a Norwegian band that formed in 2006 by Jacob Holm-Lupo, a side project of his main band White Willow. The band released their debut Night Blooms in 2009, followed by Ardor (2013) and finally Valor (2020). On this latest release the players are:

Silje Huleboer (lead vocals)
Jacob Holm-Lupo (synths, keyboards, guitars, bass guitar, programming, backing vocals, samples)
Lars Fredrik Frøislie (drums and percussion)
Bjørn Riis (lead guitar on 3 and 8)
Ole Øvstedal (guitar on 5, bass guitar on 8)
Ina A (lead vocals on 4)
Leah Marcu (lead vocals on 7)
Maria Grigoryeva (violin, viola on 7)
Ilia Skibinsky (saxophone on 1)
Alexander Stenerud (lead vocals on 9)

This is my first exposure to the band and my first impressions are very favourable. This is quite different than White Willow (a band I like very much), much more accessible pop leanings in this one. Silje’s lead vocals are melodic and emotive without overselling her voice and not venturing into histrionics. As you would expect the instruments are well played with proggy touches here and there. I would say art pop would be a good descriptor, highly sophisticated and super catchy. The first track “In the Streets� begins with gentle keyboards accentuated with snappy bass lines and textural elements including excellent but subtle guitar work. “Slow Run� plays at a leisurely pace, the melodic bass lines so fluid and the earworms so pronounced. “A Question of Re-entry� starts mellow and restrained with a lush tapestry of keyboards and a slow build into a sophisticated instrumental section where the guitar starts to soar majestically. Just a great track. The glistening keyboards and sweet vocals from Jacob’s daughter Ina A. make “Nightwings� another highlight.

Throughout the album the hooks and musicianship are top notch, the music highly refined and generally hard to stop listening to, at least for me. As such, Valor comes highly recommended.

An Apollo Records release.

Track Listing:
1. In the Streets (4:55)
2. Slow Run (5:30)
3. A Question of Re-entry (6:06)
4. Nightwings (4:36)
5. Fairground Sunday (2:35)
6. Under Thunder (5:21)
7. The Curfew Bell (3:35)
8. A Maelstrom of Stars (6:40)
Bonus Track
9. What’s It Gonna Be (Ratt cover) (5:19)

Added: November 21st 2021
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 519
Language: english

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