Treverket: Et Bedre Sted

Treverket's second album, Et Bedre Sted (A Better Place), is a delightful romp through a musical galaxy where genres collide like overzealous bumper cars. Hailing from Norway's jazz-soaked Bergen scene, this band—led by multi-instrumentalists, album composers Mathias Marstrander and Martin Hjetland—does not merely dip their toes into jazz, country, pop, and other genres; they dive in headfirst, splashing everything in sight.

From the opening of "Ouverture," you may be whisked into a melodious, anthem-like soundscape that blends Nordic jazz with intricate harmonies and cinematic daydreams, evoking the onset of untold stories. Yet "Glede" is a joyous romp infused with a Trinidadian sensation, intensified by a bold swagger that may invite listeners to dance with abandon.

"Nangijala" continues the band's memorable trajectory, unfolding like a heartfelt love letter to someone cherished, its melodies woven with tender precision. The band's genre-hopping is not reckless; it is purposeful, each shift executed with the precision of a tightrope walker who has savored one too many espressos, thrilling and a touch breathless.

"Morgenstund," with its gently unfurling melody and heartfelt tunefulness, and "Allsang," a heartwarming instrumental sing-along, are earworms that could charm even the grumpiest troll, their melodies lingering long after the music fades. Recorded over four intensive days at Duper Studio with the acclaimed Iver Sandøy, the production was then meticulously mixed by Marstrander and expertly mastered by Jørgen Træen. The result is crisp and clear, allowing every banjo pluck and synth swell to shine with brilliance, projecting fearless creativity. Treverket is not just making music; they are building an expansive sonic playground where established rules are mere suggestions and joyful exploration is paramount.

The final track, "Lament," is designed with soft horn passages and a gradually rising pitch, featuring Marstrander's exquisite Americana-fused pedal steel work, which may help the listener drift into a netherworld brimming with compassion and hope. Et Bedre Sted is a better place indeed, and some of us could happily lose ourselves in its captivating soundscapes. Four stars for a band that plays as if they have nothing to lose and everything to prove, delivering an album that is both exhilarating and profoundly beautiful.