Beatservice Records are delighted to present the debut album from the irrepressible Norwegian outfit, b0ka, with 13 genre-surfing tracks lovingly presented on the gloriously pop-centric 'Forever, My Friend'.
Friends since as far back as kindergarten, the b0ka players released a selection of highly regarded singles between 2013 and 2016, with their music arriving via prestige imprints including Eskimo, Paper Recordings, Diamond Club, and their own b0ka Recordings. They've since pursued a diverse range of projects, including Lakeshouse, OJKOS, Bjørnar Sira and Den Kosmiske Overorden, with their expansive sounds routinely winning admirers throughout the global music community. The pandemic-induced lockdowns allowed the band an opportunity to re-visit long lost b0ka projects: reviewing dusty hard discs before funnelling the best morsels into the Sagrada Jukebox mixtape earlier this year. It was during this journey of sonic rediscovery that the masterfully diverse 'Forever, My Friend' was ushered into existence.
The yearning vocal of opener 'Oh Baby' sees the band at their most tender, with choral harmonies and drifting keys set over a sparse arrangement. 'Castaway' dramatically ratchets up the energy, with rousing piano chords, playful synths and soaring sax solo supporting the sing-along vocal over crisp drums and speaker-rocking bass. The pop-meets club thrust continues into 'Stone Cold Girl (Pt 1)', with funk-coated guitar and fizzing synths cascading over snarling bass as the honeyed vocal takes centre stage. 'Stone Cold Girl (Pt 2)' expertly displays b0ka's expansive range, with affecting vocals permeating delicate waves of atmospheric instrumentation.
'When You Touch Me' blends seemingly disparate forms into a magnetic pop roller, with jazz flute, funk guitar and majestic sax solo pitched over tropical rhythms as the radio-friendly vocal irresistibly soars. The 'Forever, My Friend' title track sees a striking falsetto vocal rising over a pulsing club rhythm as dextrous flute, disco strings and sparkling synths caress the heartfelt lead melody. Amorous vocals dance across the mid-tempo charge of 'Want Me To', with throbbing bass, shimmering rhythm guitar and trombone elegantly spun over crisp drums.
Harmonic vocals and atmospheric synths abound over the tension-building interlude, 'Give Up', before the unthinkably catchy 'Let Go' explodes into life. Shimmering lead vocal glides over a neatly-woven bed of life-affirming synths, driving bass and infectious guitar riffs, providing one of the album's most undeniably accessible moments. 'Hear Me Out' sees longing vocals take flight over a climactic arrangement, with melancholy sax and spacious pads floating over scattered drums and deeply-rooted bass.
The gorgeously atmospheric 'Fjompin' 67' displays yet another brightly coloured feather in the b0ka cap, with stunning vocal harmonies and dreamy orchestration expertly building into the dance-ready heat of 'Last Night On Earth'. Here, disco takes to the fore as sturdy bass propels the lead vocal into an unforgettable chorus section before the rolling arrangement explodes into a euphoric club climax. Finally, 'Life With Me' completes a truly remarkable collection, with psychedelic synths, sax motifs and earnest lead vocals joyously maintaining the four/four flex, its vocoder chorus and driving piano chords ensuring maximum dancefloor momentum.
Drawing on all-manner of far-flung influences and brilliantly assembling the components with a pop-ready sophistication, this is spectacular work from b0ka, marking their return to release action in breathtaking style.
