KATE HAVNEVIK
Lightship
CONTINENTICA
6/10
Nordic electro-pop siren navigates a sea of tasteful moderation
Norwegian singersongwriter and soundtrack composer Kate Havnevik makes manicured electropop that radiates tinselly sparkle and cosy winter warmth. This polished fourth album reunites her with longtime studio collaborator Guy Sigsworth, whose portfolio includes Björk, Madonna, Britney Spears and more. Indeed, Havenvik seems to be aiming for a Björk-lite territory with beautifully arranged electro-orchestral chamberpop like “Come Back” and “Dream Her To Life”, while the woozy off-thegrid reverie “Camp High Hunt Low” could be a veiled A-ha homage. Born from loose studio improvisations, Lightship is a very pleasant listen in small doses, but over the long haul its well-mannered Nordic blandness loses its glib middlebrow charm.