The Northern Belle - The Women in Me
Recently named ”one of Americana’s biggest head-turners” by Popmatters, for their 2020 album We Wither, We Bloom, The Northern Belle continue to release music. A more layered, eclectic sound acts as an example of the group's continued musical evolution.
Self-produced by frontwoman Stine Andreassen and her band, the new songs are products of our time. Personal feelings and ideas have run wild and free. Due to the pandemic, the need for human interaction – cooperation and collaboration – is at the heart of the music. This has resulted in the eclectic mix of songs and artist features on the record. From The Northern Belle’s friends on the nordicana scene to folksy singer-songwriter Siv Jakobsen and idiosyncratic instrumental trio Orions Belte.
The last year has also been a time for contemplation and retrospection, a chance to revisit old favorites and inspirations. The culmination of this nostalgia is the two cover songs present on the album. The originals are hugely different, but sound coherent together in The Northern Belle’s musical universe.
“Fans of Fleetwood Mac will love The Northern Belle. Andreassen’s sweet vocals bring to mind folk and country greats. A wash of luscious harmonies ebb and flow, building a warm and fuzzy sound. The sparkling Americana-style guitar lines weave seamlessly into the vocal textures.”
For the upcoming project, dubbed The Women in Me, the group reunited with long-time collaborator Marcus Forsgren. But to embrace a new creative environment, they opted to add famed Norwegian indie artist Mikhael Paskalev and renowned producer Øyvind Røsrud into the mix – all three as engineers bringing the magic from their respective studios. As a result, The Women in Me stretches The Northern Belle outwards from their Americana roots with thoughtfully-placed additions of more indie, alternative-leaning musical elements
The Women in Me follows the release of The Northern Belle's original holiday tune "(Dim Down) The Christmas Lights" and their critically acclaimed 2020 LP We Wither, We Bloom, which earned praise from Popmatters, Wide Open Country, Cowboys and Indians Magazine, American Songwriter and more.
The Tromso-via-Oslo septet are led by singer-songwriter Stine Andreassen. A true storyteller inspired by Norwegian folk and country music which results in a hybrid you might call Nordicana. It is a style that has seen them secure support slots with the likes of Courtney Marie Andrews, Sturgill Simpson and Erin Rae.
INFO
The Northern Belle – The Women in Me
Art. no: DWYBO007
Release date: September 17th , 2021
Tracklist:
1. Kaleidoscope Dream
2. The Women in Me
3. Chicago (ft. Darling West, Ida Jenshus, Louien, Malin Pettersen & Signe Marie Rustad)
4. Only Stupid Kids Get Bored (ft. Orions Belte)
5. No Rush (ft. Siv Jakobsen & Louien)
6. Two Rhythms
7. Summer’s End
SINGLES
”No Rush” (February 36th, 2021)
“Summer’s End” (May 21th, 2021)
”Kaleidoscope Dream” (August 20th, 2021)
”Chicago” (October 14th, 2021)
Buy The Northern Belle’s album We Wither, We Bloom
“A sparkly and timeless batch of songs.”
– NPR All Things Considered
Photo by Julia Marie Naglestad