MP3: The Opium Cartel - Three sleepers
New (exclusive?) track today from Norway's The Opium Cartel, the solo project of Jacob Holm-Lupo (White Willow). On this particular track, he's joined by fellow WW member Sylvia Skjellestad on lead vocals, so if you're at all familiar with that band, this will probably sound quite similar. But whereas WW displays a strong prog influence, The Opium Cartel is far, far mellower no doubt largely due to the influence of producer and fellow collaborator Mattias Olsson (Pineforest Crunch, Änglagård, Nanook of the North, etc). For recording nerds like myself, it's possible to let Mattias' signature warm synth sounds and excellent layering skills overwhelm the track, but it can also be enjoyed as a fine atmospheric pop song. I'm reminded a bit of fellow Norwegian artrockers The 3rd and the Mortal, but it's probably a bit more akin to David Sylvian or Kate Bush as this style of prog/pop is far more weighted towards the pop side of things. Y'know, the kind of thing that appeals to 'serious' music types and high-minded critics without alienating the general listening audience. It's possible to geek out on it, but can be readily enjoyed by anyone as the the overall prettiness of the music is by far its strongest asset.
The Opium Cartel - Three sleepers