Frk. Jacobsen: Lobsters

Lobsters is the debut solo EP of Danish multi-instrumentalist Anja Jacobsen—taking here the title Frk. Jacobsen (Miss Jacobsen)—the driving force of alternative, improvising outfits as Selvhenter, Valby Vokalgruppe and Oum, the tribute to the great Egyptian singer Oum Kulthoum. As on her other projects Jacobsen is determined to find common ground between fearless and inventive sonic experimentalism, varied elements of world music and pop-song sensibilities.

This EP features Jacobsen as a highly original musician, gifted with rich and often wild imagination, and the ability to create beautiful, strange sounds that sound organic over irresistible rhythms. Her musical ideas are delivered with a rare charm and elegance.

The five songs were recorded in Berlin, where Jacobsen resides, and Copenhagen throughout the last year. On "Brain Piece" she narrates a disturbing story with a sweet voice over an infectious, poly-rhythmic background comprised of vintage keyboards and various hand drums. "Thick Air" couples noisy, electronic outbursts with angelic voice reciting colorful images. "Dr. Riddle" features Johs Lund, from the alternative Danish Yoyo Oyoy outfit, playing as a fiery sax choir against the subtle beats of Jacobsen. The title song evolves around a hypnotic gamelan pulse and infectious keyboard flights, while Jacobsen tells an arresting story about emancipation of frozen lobsters. "Healing Force" is the only instrumental piece and manages to blend naturally East- Asian rhythmic scale, angelic voice with cinematic synthesizer washes.

Provocative, beautiful set of alternative pop songs.