Songs People Together – August Rosenbaum

As a Scandinavian soul collector, I found myself clutching the vinyl of August Rosenbaum‘s album, Songs, People, Together, all thanks to an obsession with one particular track that left me hoping this would be a shining gem amidst a trove of diamonds.

Adorned in a beautifully designed cover and pressed onto a crystal-clear 180gm disk, the LP exudes craftsmanship consistent with its contents.

August Rosenbaum, a producer, has assembled a stellar cast of Scandinavian soul luminaries, including Robin Hannibal (Quadron), Coco. O (Quadron), and Lil Hamila, among others. Witnessing such names coalesce on a single album speaks volumes of August’s prowess in blending an eclectic array of sounds and styles into a harmonious whole.

the standout for me is the spellbinding track, No Label

Let me lay my cards on the table; the standout for me is the spellbinding track, ‘No Label,’ featuring the enigmatic Emi Wes. The Danish siren’s vocals exude haunting allure, reminiscent of Portishead with Bond-esque flair. Even the rap interlude perfectly complements the mesmerising soundscape. This singular piece of brilliance stands as one of the year’s finest tracks, which I repeatedly return to. For this track alone, the vinyl price is more than justified.

The enchanting ‘Selfish Kind of Love‘ similarly captivates with its gentle and soulful acoustics, providing a captivating journey through emotion and melody within the expanse of an amphitheatre’s soundstage. Meanwhile, collaborations with Coco O on ‘Second,’ Lil Hamila on ‘Revolve,’ and Jula on the marvellous ‘Hypnotised‘ maintain a languid allure yet fall short of “No Label’s” enrapturing sonics.

Where the album falters is with the surprising inclusion of the powerful and energetic rap single, ‘Empire.’ The deviation from August’s signature laid-back productions leaves this reviewer somewhat perplexed, more than satisfied.

Though the album, on the whole, delivers a seamless listening experience, making an emotional connection proves somewhat elusive. The dynamics of the instrumentation fail to elicit excitement. In comparison to expectations, the album falls slightly short. However, that one killer track’s undeniable charm and luminosity make it a worthy addition to any playlist or vinyl collection.