Cold Water Burning Skin – Fieh

You would think the word ‘band’ had become a bad four-letter word in today’s radio charts. It’s rarely used.

And well as – soul and funk.

It’s a shame for listeners, because when you combine these words with energy, creativity and soulful vocals, the results, as heard in the band called Fieh, is nothing less than outstanding.

The Norwegian band feels unhindered by the needs to conform and compete with the formula of the hit-driven music industry. The group of eight-members make music the way they want to, organic and free, and it comes across with resounding success.

Before this debut album landed, the band had released five singles all built with ingredients of sumptuous, infectious grooves. Their jazzy improvisation and fusion of chords blend into songs with catchy lyrical magnetism.

Pin-up a wanted poster for Glu, Brain, 25, Flowers and Samurai/ When the Summer Is Through – because these tracks are killers.

Joining these five gangsters are an additional five outlaws of equal menace (just check out the flute on So Fly alone!) on this filler-free album. The tracks are multi-layered with 70’s inspiration and modern textures created by excellent instrumentation – skilful keys, solid beats, sweet horns, lush harmonies and flawless percussion. And lead singer Sofie Tollefsbøl’s velvety vocals are the cream to top this cake.

Here’s a four-letter word everyone should use – FIEH.

And this is a five-star album.