stylistberlin Album Review: Kasper Bjørke – Fool (HFN Music)

Label. hfn music
Artist. Kasper Bjørke
Title. Fool
Format. 2 x CD Album & Digital Album
Cat.Number. hfn14
Release Date. 1. April, 2012
Distribution. Rough Trade
Domain. www.hfn-music.com

One of my favourite albums that reached me this year was by Danish artist Kasper Bjørke.

“Fool” is actually the third studio album by Kasper Bjørke (not the second, as pulseradio stated in an interview previously), released on Hamburg’s famous label hfn music.

According to Kasper, this concept album has two sides, “Hungry” and “Foolish”, after the phrase “Stay hungry, stay foolish” and combines the collaborative results with Jacob Bellens from Murder and I Got You on Tape.

Track Review

A – Hungry Side

01. Hummingbirds (with Jacob Bellens) (4:39)
“Very quick, very disco. Beautiful piano melody in the end.”

02. Lose Yourself to Jenny (with Jacob Bellens) (4:04)

Lyrics:
And you don’t want to lose yourself to Jenny,
you know that she will ask you all you’ve got
afraid that she is worth every penny
afraid that she will drink until you drop
 
And even though your hands are shaking
to you it really means a lot
it’s possible that you could be mistaking
but you’re also nervous that you’re not
 
Now I know you don’t like to be laughed at
and I can see your eyes are getting wet
but I want you to hold your tears back
we’ve got time to worry when we’re dead
 
I will shut the lid on my eight track
knowing that it isn’t over yet
and I will leave an address for contact
for if you feel you’re in over your head
 
Cause you don’t want to lose yourself to jenny
and you know she will ask you all you’ve got
afraid that she is worth every penny
afraid that she will drink until you drop
 
And even though your hands are shaking
to you it really means a lot
it’s possible that you could be mistaking
but you’re also nervous that you’re not

This is a “happy mood song with lovely whistling“, I wrote down in the first memo when I heard it, actually the most famous one of the album. I have heard it being played so many times now in Berlin…! Perfect to be played at smaller parties, perfect to use for commercials!

03. Deep is the Breath (with Jacob Bellens and Emma Acs) (4:08)
The voice of young talent Emma Acs was a bit irritating in the beginning, I have to admit that I first I thought she does not fit into the picture at all, as the thin, young voice was creating a bit bizarre mood. The more I listened to this track, however, it kind of made sense to use her voice on this track. The gap between Jacob Bellens ripe and deep voice versus Emma Acs’ high one emphasized the sad story about the separation and the rather happy melody.

Music video directed by Florence Tétier & Nicolas Coulomb
Assistant: Mélissa Fernandez
Makeup & hair: Lila Guéant
Model: Kersti at Slides

04. Sunrise (with Jacob Bellens) (4:06)
This is a love song that could be on the OST of the legendary La Boum movie.

A Side Comment
I am not sure if all of the tracks are club suited, but I guess they were not intended to be club music in that sense, and that is why I like this side so much. Refreshingly just music you enjoy hearing at home, having a good time with your friends. Jacob Bellens has a very nice voice and it is the first time I became aware of him as a singer. You should check out his bands, links above. The first part of the album: very 80ies, very disco, very fun. The term “bittersweet” does describe the tracks the best, it is all about love, sweetness and bitterness at the same time and thus, plainly timeless.

hearing at home, having a good time with your friends

B – Foolish Side

05. Overture (1:18)
Calm introduction to the second part, that clearly divides the two parts of the album. You can use it in your set as well to create a break

06. D.O.A.H. (9:36)
With heavy guitar chords, this could be used in a thriller as soundtrack. Or in a modern western.

07. All I hear is Drums (3:14)
Back to more discoish beats and melody, but I cannot let go of the thought that also this track would perfectly fit into a movie, this time a modern, fun one. The synthesizers are much in use, which gives a feeling of poppy games music as well. One of my favourites on this album.

08. Bohemian Soul (with Laid Back) (10:04)
What a combination! Resulting in a deep track that is more “housy“ than the others. Fast beats, dark melodies. No wonder the next single out of the album will be this one, with remixes by Adana Twins and Tambien!

09. Ubiquitous (4:59)
Starting with female voice picking up a phone call that could be anywhere in this hipster-world: talking about an opening of a new place, with a lame crowd, that new spot in town, grabbing some food and meeting some peeps for the new club, the resident DJ who is „super hot“ – a totally timeless track.
The track itself reminds of 80ies pop and colourful pants, glamourous women and a lot of glitter. Also, it could be the soundtrack of a trash movie / western.

10. US Escape (3:11)
Light track reminding of maybe raindrops falling down. Very minimalistic held, the drums added only late in the track

B Side Comment
Every single track could be used in a movie. It is very impressive to see that an artist does not limit himlsef to a certain genre but has the freedom even after being in the music business for a long ime, to try out his capabilities and build songs that show a diversity of sound.

Opinion

Kasper wanted to produce an album more fit for the radio, and he succeeded in doing so, as you can hear loads of the tracks being played in public. Overall, this album is filled with one part of happy-mood-makers and a second one that creates more depth.

Kasper wanted to produce an album more fit for the radio, and he succeeded in doing so, as you can hear loads of the tracks being played in public. Overall, this album is filled with one part of happy-mood-makers and a second one that creates more depth.
The two sides do not really fit to each other, but you can see them as two different EPs and then it is okay. Despite being so different from each other, both sides can be played without great break due to the Overture.

Especially a delight to hear because it differs so much from the current trends in house music and reminds us that there are talents out there with a much broader view on music than the usual local heroes in the clubs.

I highly appreciate his attempt to keep the whole music producing fun, trying out  many different styles so far and not hesitating to bring out an album that is not too much focused in the classical style guide. Especially a delight to hear because it differs so much from the current trends in house music and reminds us that there are talents out there with a much broader view on music than the usual local heroes in the clubs. There is a reason why Kasper Bjørke is getting so much acknowledgement also from people outside the music scene.
His distinguished style, own flair and taste have proved his skills.

I read somewhere he could imagine himself making film music in the far future – and I see that clearly, too. Will definitely recommend him to my movie director friends.

Now I am really curious how “his“ Reptile Youth guys will develop, as I am sure Kasper will not manage some random guys who do not have talent.

https://www.facebook.com/kasperbjorke

https://soundcloud.com/kasperbjorke