"Cosmopolitan band Ophelia Hope is composed of two Norwegian members (one of them is the delicious vocalist Ingrid Ophelia), an Australian member who composes and plays instrument, one englishman who deals with the percussions and an Italian producer!
However, the heart of their pop music with soft folk and jazzy emanations is undoubtedly Scandinavian : soft, elegant, romantic, delicate, equipped with this single mixture of heat and freshness. I was filled with wonder at their discovery.
Admittedly, their music is not anything revolutionist but their musical universe is superbly worked, this first album  released at the beginning of 2009 has a unique musical environment: one feels in a luminous and cordial cocoon. That is within the framework of an acoustic or more symphonic music, the group created splendid harmonious parts of pop music with sublime arrangements, the whole album is floating in a peculiar melancholy.
Albatross and Next To You open on a fairy-like note the album. These two songs largely contributed to my very favorite for this group. The sophisticated arrangements for these pieces of pop air flown over by the angelica voice of Ingrid. Two wonders which will mark my musical year pop Whatever… (Love Is) is a piece more removed which gives banana. Subtle, fresh and splendid. Sattelite Servant boy with his instrumental have a japanese grace. A jewel. More acoustic, New Years' Eve proposes the sweetness of the voice of Ingrid who illuminates this piece with arrangements jazzy. Superb. Dark and epic, Beautiful Tears is one of the highlight of the album, I still have shivers with its listening. A new wonder enlightened by the vocal presence of Ingrid.
A wind of freshness is brought by One Life Stand which seems beautiful following the Albatross piece. Enchanter. Burtonien in its environment, Constitution Day continues to allure the listener without fall of mode, that opposite. Superb. Wallflower also has a particular environment filled of softness and luminosity. A pearl which into pleasing the arrival of another : When You Rain and its sustained rhythm propose beautiful pop involving. Dead End encloses in apotheosis on a note of collective good mood which blows a soft breeze of freedom. The paradise.
A first album incredibly controlled: sumptuous arrangements, a bewitching interpreter and especially a captivating atmosphere which makes this album essential of 2009 music."
                            Read more...
                        

                            
I listen to music until I just want to hear someone talk instead of sing, with the exception of Ophelia Hope.  Retro folk/jazz/pop wrapped in a haze of cinema is what it is, dreamscape-extraordinaire, though it will be something else next time I try to describe it.  And I will-- describe it again, that is.  Music this good needs to be passed around if for no other reason than to prove that there IS good music out there and at the top of the heap is Ophelia Hope.
                            Read more...