Ida Wenoe - The Things We Don’t Know Yet
by Nicky Crewe
published: 4 / 7 / 2019
Label:
Songcrafter Music
Format: CD
intro
Enchanting and haunting second album from Danish singer songwriter Ida Wenoe who sings in English
This new album is the follow-up to Ida Wenoe’s debut 'Time of Ghosts'. She’s been touring and writing, a hectic schedule for a singer-songwriter. There’s no sense of scurry in these songs. As she says, she’s reminding listeners "to stop before walking, instead of running before thinking" in her songs. "Find the patience to enjoy this moment instead of always running for the next one." That patience is rewarded with this new collection of songs. I was lucky enough to see her play live at my favourite venue, Sheffield’s Cafe #9. There’s an intimacy about her performance and her songwriting that is perfect for such a small and cosy venue. She was warm, funny and had a great rapport with her audience. Her songs were thought provoking and charming. The songs on this album have depth and breadth. Her musicianship is obvious, with her multi-layered harmonies and the range of instruments she plays on the recording. She has her own sound, but she’s recognisably Scandinavian, with that ability to create optimistic and even pop songs out of loss and heartbreak. She writes in English but she’s working in a Nordic folk tradition as well as an English or American one. The title track ‘Things We Don’t Know Yet’ sets the tone, with its intimate vocal, drawing us in to "gently let in the light." ‘Change Me a Little’ shows a stronger arrangement. ‘Circus Season’ is eerily supernatural with lovely harmonies. ‘Another Kind of Love’ is a pop song at its best. ‘The River Of Treebury Hill’ takes us into the natural world to escape the demands of our everyday life. ‘The Self-Pity Song’ is tortured and funny. "I made a knife of paper and stabbed myself." It’s this ability to explore emotion through song while keeping spirits up which makes her such an engaging songwriter and performer. Highly recommended for some "slow listening".
Track Listing:-
1 The Things We Don't Know Yet2 Change Me a Little
3 Circus Season
4 Another Kind of Love
5 Värmeland
6 Oh My Heart, Sweetheart
7 The River of Treesbury Hill
8 The Self-Pity Song
9 A Place so Full of Splendour
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart