Kasper Bjorke // Standing On Top Of Utopia

Denmark. Musically, they’ve given us Saturday night pop tart Whigfield, 90’s fantastic-plastic Aqua and Lars Ulrich, the surly backline to undisputed metal heads, Metallica. Penned a 'Danish prize export,’ Kasper Bjorke comes from the heart of a thriving Copenhagen electronica scene and it is this distinction from any weekend club that makes this record a delight to discover. This is the sophomore release for Bjorke, two years after his much applauded solo debut, and an exciting journey through his mature and richly musical mind. There is a veritable entourage of fellow Danish vocalists here as well as performances from Davide Rossi, known for his work with Goldfrapp and most recently, Royksopp. Opening track 'Animals’ is a sultry Siouxie and the Banshee’s styling with a smattering of 80s synth pop, courtesy of Louise Foo’s (who covered for her sister Sharin on The Raveonettes last US tour) haunting main melodies. ‘Standing on the top of Utopia’ spans out over glittering analogue seas of synthesizer jams and jagged heart felt pop songs and this makes for some admirable new-wave-electro pop. As an advocate for an 80’s revival myself, Bjorke’s first artist release is not the perfect state of Utopia he describes but it is undeniably a disco hit!