Magnet is Even Jobansen, a Norwegian with a fine sense of melody. 'The Tourniquet' opens with with recent single 'Hold On', a plucked melody and some gentle programming throb in the background as Jobansen's vocal drifts along until the chorus comes washing over like a glorious sunshine. "You'll get through this, if you hold on, cause the truth is you're not alone"; that may sound a little contrite when read but the uplifting and beautiful delivery adds passion and belief to the statement.'Duracellia' is fortunately not a ditty about batteries but yet another gorgeous gem of a tune "And I'm still going strong at going wrong, don't matter if you leave or stay, I'm gonna love you either way, I'm not here for the love of God, no I'm here for yours tonight" sings Jobansen leaving me wondering if that's beautiful, tragic or both.
The blend of programmed beats and synth sounds along with acoustic instruments and a soft, hushed vocal create a lush soundscape throughout the whole album. It's all about melody.
The album opens so strongly that it seems impossible to maintain the standard, 'Believe' is aptly titled as it proves the album can. The chorus takes you off guard and sends a shiver right through your body. 'All You Ask' has a slight reggae tinge and is almost hypnotic whilst 'Deadlock' is a lullaby that sweeps around your head. 'Fall at Your Feet' lifts the pace a little with its harmonised chorus before 'Blow By Blow' throbs and aches.
'Miss Her So' is another ballad of a relationship lost "Nowhere is where I'll be if she won't have me back, she wears a nightgown on the other side of town". Jobansen's voice shimmers and cracks in all the right places, hushed and restrained, aching and soaring, it really adds a gentle warmth to these songs.
Closing with yet another stunner of a tune in 'Jaws' this is a truly beautiful album that will probably not seep through into the mainstream because it's just too good. Do the right thing.
