Band of Gold are back, and they continue where their debut album left off. After their success the last time, it would have been easy to lose the feeling of freedom that made its mark on both the recording and the music. But it was never a risk that this would happen here. Quite the reverse. The band went into the studio and did just what they wanted, and the collaboration between Nina Mortvedt and Nikolai Hængsle Eilertsen, AKA the core of Band of Gold, works best when they do just what they lilke.

When Band of Gold released their debut album in autumn 2015, they were a pleasant surprise for many people. Both Nina and Nikolai have spent a long time on the Norwegian music scene, but this was a project they’d worked on in the quiet. When the album was released, though, it was no doubt that this was a band that had the right to live. The positive reviews were many, the fans flocked to their concerts, and the whole thing peaked when they won the Nordic Music Prize during by:Larm 2016, as the first Norwegian artist ever.

But now Band of Gold are no longer a secret. Now there are expectations. And they have been fulfilled.

«Where’s the Magic» is the band’s second album – an album about the passion we all seek and crave for. It’s not hard to find passion in Band of Gold’s songs. It’s on every chord here, and we get a ferocity that the debut album from 2015 didn’t have. On «I Wanna Dance With You Again», the first single from «Where’s the Magic», Mortvedt’s vocals are admirable, and underneath its lovely arrangement we find a pop song that’s completely irresistible.

But the album doesn’t just have grand pop songs. «Where’s the Magic» also contains experimental songs that challenge the listeners, ballads so beautiful that they will bring tears to your eyes, and slow pop songs that will force you to play the album again.

A rock solid sequel, from a band that’s better than ever.

Band of Gold - I Wanna Dance With You Again

Jansen Records is a Oslo, Norway record label with the good stuff.