HANNE HUKKELBERG - Little Things

You know that look on a child's face when they open a music box and get lost in the melodious flow of notes coming from the precious magical container? Yes, that tender expression somewhere between curiosity, delight and wonder? Well, listening to Hanne Hukkelberg can send you right back to childhood, when every unusual sound offers a new way of looking at the world. Caresses, pure and comforting kisses: these are the wonders of "Little Things", the grand-style debut of the Norwegian singing fairy, already admired and backed by the likes of Jaga Jazzist and Kaada.

It's been a while since we last heard music this delicate and innocent. The voice is diaphanous and the melodies as intelligible as can be, the sounds essential, the electronics unadorned, with acoustic flourishes that drift through the air giving it color. "Little Things" is an epiphany of feelings expressed with all the genuineness of a proper debut, yet it's not short on musical ideas of real interest either, like the reclaiming of jazzy atmospheres, which lend the compositions that retro flavor that's so very fashion.

A well-crafted product all told, though that doesn't undermine the overall sense of purity, as shown by a song of the caliber of "Words & A Piece Of Paper", a musical fable sung by a beguiling voice that seems to belong to the era of 78 rpm records. And how many Nordic chanteuses can boast a "Do Not As I Do" like this, to begin with, one that has the feel of a dreamy round dance amid floral visions... Now, it's no secret that the Nordic music scene is going through a period of great creative fertility, but what's truly striking is its ability to absorb sounds alien to that tradition... but no, why always rationalize things? Enough chatter, just go listen to "Ballon", then head off to bed, because Morpheus won't be long in granting you a wonderful illusion.

Hanne Hukkelberg has turned out a great record, but she's probably too busy with wizards and elves to notice. If you like Dani Siciliano and love the more intimate side of Torrini, then don't let this album slip by; in fact, don't let it slip by regardless.

Ride the wave of great music

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30/04/2026