The Republic of Erlend

Erstwhile (or should that be abdicated?) King Of Convenience and the singer on Royksopp's Poor Leno and How You Remind Me, Erlend Oye has released his first solo album. Entitled Unrest (rather apt since the globetrotting Norwegian troubadour recorded the ten songs in ten different European cities with ten different dance producers) it contains little in the way of sonic surprises for those familiar with Melody AM or the Kings Of Convenience remix album Versus. But it's no less lovely for that. The record resonates with understated class; chilled beats and intoxicating melodies combining to slick, irresistible effect, making this the first genuinely indispensable release in 2003.