A-ha – “True North” – Reviews and recommendations

When A-ha presents new music to the population after seven years, it is an event the size of the moon­the landing.

Roughly, anyway.

“True North” is according to Magne Furuholmen “a letter from the Arctic Circle, a poem from Northern Norway with new music”.

There is also one film and a collaboration with Bodø2024 on the occasion of Bodø’s status as European Capital of Culture in two years’ time.

The greatest Norwegian band of all time

Musically, this will direct a strong spotlight on how we interact with the environment and nature (read: how we destroy it), and what awaits us in the future.

Gloomy, but eventually well-known themes. Then it fits well that there are hardly any better communicators of reflective melancholy than A-ha.

The most successful Norwegian pop bands of all time are exalted galleons­figures for Norwegian music, with all that entails: prima donna­capricious, internal strife­names and world-class eccentricities.

Being part of A-ha is by no means a cakewalk for any of those involved.

They have all previously talked about his thunderous aversion to new A-ha records, Morten Harket is an unattainable figure with a God-given voice, while Magne Furuholmen pulls the strings and makes things happen.

It’s probably really bad for bands­members to spend time together, but for the listener it is a wonderful gift.

Fabulous Philharmonic

“True North” offers Morten Harket’s iconic voice in all its misanthropic and searching glory. When the first notes from silk­throat tickles ear­the corridors, it is as if you are standing at St. Peter’s gate and the angels have decided the soundtrack.

The opening song “In my” gives plenty of space for the group’s head­instrument: Morten Harket’s voice­band.

Accompanied by the Arctic Philharmonic, conducted by Anders Eljas, and Magne Furuholmen’s infallible production, this is a blistering opening to a record that describes a longing for the clean, pure and genuine nature.

Exactly that is reflected perfectly in the starting part.

Brilliant presentation

On others­the track “Hunter in the Hills” is it Pål Waaktaar-Savoy who produces, while the Arctic Philharmonic gets to shine even more. It is musically much closer and less devotional, but mysteriously manages to convey the same mood.

There is a delicious alluring tangent­tracks in the chorus that bring to mind rain, fog and weathered trees.

The Philharmonic’s strings contribute a high-quality, 1920-tall’s noir feel, and the combination feels completely brand new. The absolutely wonderful opening has become even stronger.

Never expires

Throughout the album, A-ha shows an impressive routine and own ability to find unique melodies and interesting twists. At first through­listening you may only be impressed, but on the second and third listen you constantly find new elements to appreciate.

Furuholmen and Waaktaar-Savoy have contributed six songs each. Miraculously, they have managed to create a completely coherent record which at the same time has a very varied expression. They master both nostalgia and contemporary.

We get to see the 80s again­the synth on “Forest for the Trees”, while a more updated expression comes to the surface in “Make Me Understand”.

This trio simply does not go out of date, and they are always full of new ideas.

Certain signs of weakness

“True North” is not perfect. There are certain parts towards the end here that are downright weak.

“You Have What It Takes”, for example, sounds like a mediocre Christmas song – worthy only of a nitristic and bland December performance at an Amfi center. Here the guitar sounds tasteless and cheap, while the otherwise wonderful strings perform box music. Even Harket sounds like he’s bored.

This also applies to a certain extent “Summer Rain”which mainly sounds uninspired, but saves the day with a fine chorus.

Passionate love

Nevertheless, there is no doubt that A-ha has a masterful understanding of what they have to convey, and that they have never taken a shortcut in their entire lives. Here lies passion, visions and creativity at the bottom.

One can literally feel the love for nature and the contempt for the forces that destroy it. The oil, the roughness and the lies that point a loaded Mauser at its metaphorical face.

It is naturally extra touching when you know that Northern Norway is central to the production, a part of the country that is not exactly known for its miserable nature.

When “True North” ends with one of the album’s best songs, “Oh My Word”, you are left with a burning desire to start again – and that is not a bad sign.

I’m still waiting for the day A-ha makes a comically bad record so I can use the pun “a-hahaha”, but it didn’t work out this time either.