Beatservice Records are thrilled to present the hotly-anticipated third album from Oslo-based production maestro, Third Attempt. 'The Novel Sound' follows on from the widely acclaimed 'Beats From The Quarantine' album released in April 2021, and further compliments the young artist's deserved reputation as one of the dance underground's most exciting talents to emerge in recent years.
Third Attempt (AKA Torje Fagertun Spilde) has been dazzling us with his far-reaching music since arriving in the Beatservice fold with 'Shoreline' back in 2018, and since then his ever-evolving repertoire has continued to serve up immaculate sonic surprises. The fast-rising 23-year old artist has wasted no time making his indelible mark, displaying a frenetic work rate alongside an impeccable ear for constructing compelling leftfield grooves.
'The Novel Sound' opens with the rolling deviance of 'Freak Out', where a dusty string sample makes way for vocal samples, scratches, and searing sirens permeating a bass-heavy groove, setting the tone magnificently for the music that's primed to unfold. Next, we arrive in the mid-tempo chug of 'Age Of Steam'. Evolving over a crisp, club-ready rhythm, heavy funk guitars, dancing keys and distant vocal stabs cascade over driving bass before soaring strings herald the arrival of a slick breakdown section. The icing on the cake arrives as bubbling acid joins sensational horn motifs, breaking down once again for a starry-eyed beatless passage that leaves us yearning for a reprise.
'My Girl' features amorous vocal samples hovering over an irresistible disco beat, with alluring rhythm guitars and dreamy e-piano chords setting the scene for rousing horns to blast off into blissful summer skies. Before we've found time to catch our breath, 'Nu Funk' arrives with snappy hip hop samples scratched over tight beats and a delectable bass guitar hook. The groove pauses for dubbed-out space delays to echo into the night before a singing lead guitar joins the rhythm elements to burst back into life, with flute motifs, elegant strings, and otherworldly sweeps elegantly meandering across the panorama.
Set over a groove that arrives like a cool summer breeze, 'Sunbeam Symphony' drifts over soul-soothing chords, weighted bass and slick, rolling beats. Hypnotic keys guide us into position as the drums build energy and the bass notes power us forward. Third Attempt's dextrous keyboard solo dazzles momentarily before subsiding for a dub-infused break, with spaced-out vocal chops and rising sweeps building tension before the groove resumes and the virtuoso solo once again majestically soars. Maintaining the sun-kissed meditations, 'Definite' effortlessly floats through waves of thick bass, funk guitar chops and elegantly fused samples, with seductive chords, hypnotic horns and laser-tight drums combining to create a near overpowering dream state.
The heavy trip-hop rhythms of 'Nightfall' enrapture the listener as rich chords discreetly beckon, with cascading congas, mysterious melodies and exotic refrains building before the glorious lead vocal appears like a hyper-luminous flash of light. The chords disappear into the nothingness, before the carefully selected sample of 'Working Man' drifts in to fill the empty space. Smokey drums soon arrive, joined by weighted bass, foggy chords and an enigmatic whistle lead, fusing to conjure a half-lit world lifted from the pages of an evocative film noir novel.
The enlivening tablas, glitchy effects and saucer-eyed sweeps of 'Greed' hide subliminal messages casting a knowing eye over the consumer-driven society and self-help culture that pervade our society, before we arrive at the album's charmed finale. 'Last Winter Of My Childhood' yet again manages to transport the listener into a gently hallucinatory realm, with drowsy bass notes, tripped out pads and emotive strings building to a profound and rush-inducing crescendo.
'The Novel Sound' once again sees Third Attempt dextrously merging expansive musical aesthetics that fuse trip-hop, funk, soul and disco to deliver a sound that – although endowed with vintage sensibilities – feels proudly up to date. Continuing his breathtaking development in dazzling style, the album feels destined to echo over blissed-out sunsets, back-room excursions and twilight skies for many years to come.
credits
released May 13, 2022
Including the exclusive bonus track Drifter, not available anywhere else.
Norwegian producer, Third Attempt, has wasted no time making his uniquely indelible
mark on the subaquatic musical
universe. The Oslo-based artist has released
impeccably produced music on a tight selection of renowned labels, including finding a
regular home on supreme Norwegian imprint, Beatservice, as well as benchmark UK
disco imprint, Paper Recordings....more
supported by 5 fans who also own “The Novel Sound”
Well, I still remember when I picked up this CD back in the 90s. Nothing has changed, talent still shows. Full of innovative and varied downtempo tracks but the overall mood is what makes this special. downtempo_nomad
supported by 5 fans who also own “The Novel Sound”
A strong collection of tracks from the FB' catalog, with no fillers - just consistent quality ranging balearica from David McSherry and Steve Cobby. Subtle Body and 6ft Wasp from their 'Main That Tune' LP are notable exceptions. Maybe we just wait for the repress (Retro Vol.2!). Kevin Dunne
supported by 5 fans who also own “The Novel Sound”
Like an old good friend coming to visit. Embrace, have a seat, relax, talk about recent events, talk about the future, the past and just vibe. Get drinks, turn the stereo up, get loose and dance like the world has melted off our feet. Você já o viu?
Dedicated to the idea of “creating stillness,” the latest from Rohne offers hushed electroacoustic songs that gently sway. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 3, 2021
supported by 5 fans who also own “The Novel Sound”
Lead-off track Saddlebags sounds right out of Steve's old Ashley & Jackson days. Follow that with 2nd track Ten Bob Lino, which hearkens back to some old Fila grooves. Continue on as Steve dabbles into downtempo, dub, reggae, psychedelic, and more. Glad to hear Steve getting back to his roots and reinforcing yet again that he's done so many music styles, done them well, and tied them all together. Walt Collins