Spielbergs

About

" Brusk and intense noise-rock with power-pop melodies "

Norwegian indie noise-rock trio Spielbergs deliver a joyously explosive mix of fuzzed-out power pop and post-punk. Comprised of Mads Baklien on vocals/guitar, Stian Brennskag on bass, and Christian Løvhaug on drums (all three with a background in other acts ranging in style from post-hardcore to indie rock/folk), the band specializes in producing a post-punk aesthetic with a wistful melodicism and solid melodies, following in the footsteps of Hüsker Dü, but in their own way.

Their debut EP, ‘Distant Star,’ was released in April 2018, and it soon won enthusiastic reviews, as did their later official debut LP, ‘This is Not the End’.

It is obvious now, but back in the days when punk rock was as stiff as mostly any genre of music, using strings and harmonies were not just seen as a cacophony but rather as an absolute heresy to the very ethos of the genre. Thankfully, this has changed, and Spielbergs are smart enough to combine these seemingly antithetical poles in a ferocious and delightful way.

In 2022, and after signing a new record deal with British label Big Scary Monsters, Spielbergs released their second album, ‘Vestli’, named after the suburban area where Baklien and Brennskag grew up.  The album is more mature and carefully crafted compared to their previous work, embracing sensibilities without sapping the energy of their earlier releases, and featuring their as always simple-yet-clever songwriting. It’s brash, thrilling, and emotionally compelling– there’s enough room for fun (‘George McFly’), nuggets of Feeder (‘The New Year’s Resolution’) and even piano-meets-strings instrumental (‘Goodbye’), showcasing the trio’s dynamics and well worked out messy pop/rock formula.

Picture : Johan Malvik