Whatever happened to the teenage dream?
Following on from 2021’s acclaimed Aphelion, Leprous frontman Einar Solberg has dipped a toe into solo waters on his debut, 16. The accidental concept album finds him flexing his collaborative muscles with some familiar names as he revisits the life-changing events of his formative years that eventually led to him becoming a musician.
Words: Dom Lawson Images: Elena Sihida
Einar Solberg: an expert in his field.
Sometimes, the truth can seem a little mundane. Beloved of all sensible prog-leaning folk, Einar Solberg is embarking on a solo career, largely to save himself from getting bored. After 22 years as frontman with Leprous, he’s finally made a record under his own name. Entitled 16 and focused on events in his life between the ages of 16 and 19, it comprises songs co-written with a diverse array of musicians and composers, with a few selfpenned songs thrown in for good measure. It’s a spectacular beginning to his solo endeavours, but one that grew from a simple urge to find something to do.
“I remember when I got home from a tour in 2018 – and it’d been a year with very extensive touring – I got back to Norway, looked at my schedule and thought, ‘Oh, there’s absolutely nothing there!’” Solberg recalls. “I got a bit depressed about it! It keeps on happening here and there. Leprous are a very active band, but suddenly you get into periods when there’s nothing, so what could I fill those with?”