King Midas – Rosso

King Midas have some reacquainting to do. Rosso is the Norwegian cult act's first album in six years, but it's also their international debut. An odd blend of sounds and moods, it nevertheless comes together, seemingly against all odds; instrumental opener A Ship Glides Through The Night starts off ominous, then suddenly snaps into an irresistible rhythm led by synths, keys and throbbing bass. Free-jazz sax floats around the edges of the mix. It's disciplined and precise, but never without an air of mischief.

 

Cold and distant as well as strangely alluring, Rosso is undoubtedly a product of Scandinavia: Colorsound and You Know My Name have introspective vocals thrown over cold soundscapes and robotic laptop beats. Snow, a weird but danceable synth-pop gem, walks the fine line between eerie and quirky. These often jarring elements possibly make them a hard sell, but those adventurous enough to let King Midas into their lives will find an innovative release far removed from current trends. [Ross Watson]