Danish artist Oh Land’s third album, Wish Bone, may come as something of a shock to her older fans. Compared to the earlier, punchy brilliance of ‘Son of a Gun’ and upbeat bounciness of ‘White Nights’ from her self-titled 2011 album Oh Land, this latest offering definitely shows the 28-year-old’s explorative side.
Songs like ‘Love a Man Dead’, a blend of sparky electro-pop and loop-the-loops of her trademark airy vocals, hark back to her earlier sound. But with Wish Bone, Oh Land, born Nanna Oland Fabricius, is definitely venturing into new soundscapes through the medium of dance, R&B and hip-hop. The LP’s lead single ‘Renaissance Girls’ is a balls-out feminist anthem with fast paced lyrics leading listeners through the history of women: “I can be your darling/Cooking you dinner and soothing your heartaches” topped off with Oh Land’s hypnotic proclamation “We can be your renaissance girls”.
‘Cherry on Top’ is another example of Oh Land’s characteristic distortion of the pop genre, with mournful verses juxtaposed by bubbly choruses and spiralling instrumentation. ‘Next Summer’ is also pop with a twist, emerging as a not-quite-conventional take on a break-up ballad. The dark lyrics “You’re losing your grip, I’m still lying in bed” give the song an edgily haunting quality whilst transporting the listener to a picturesque reverie. ‘My Boxer’ is a pleasant surprise coming midway through the album and introducing the listener and Oh Land herself to the world of rap. Lyrics like “Do you mind if we don’t hold hands?” and fierce electronic beats give the song ample attitude and a sound reminiscent of Azealia Banks and Angel Haze.
Although quite a contrast from the dreamy, trippy ballads and ephemeral vocals Oh Land is famous for, her new forays definitely work. What is particularly striking about Wish Bone is the range of emotion and imagery explored. Every song is like a window into a different world, from the intensely melancholic ‘Sleepy Town’ and ‘Green Card’ to the breathless energetic and upbeat, summery joyfulness of ‘Pyromaniac’. Part of Oh Land’s intrigue is the grey area she occupies on the fringes of the pop genre. Her music feels like it will be “safe” and relatively formulaic, yet at the same time produces odd twists that take the listener aback. While songs like ‘3 Chances’ hint at a generic “girl and acoustic guitar” setup, there is always an unusual, almost futuristic element at play that makes Oh Land curiously magnetic.
The rise and fall of intensity across the album takes the listener on a rollercoaster journey, from the serious beauty of ‘Love You Better’ to the boppy jazziness of ‘First To Say Goodnight’. The album has a jarring quality, but is also oddly mesmerising. Whilst more traditional trip-hop ballads would have been appreciated, Oh Land’s reputation for compelling lyrics paired with strong beats and unconventional backdrops create a sound that moves pop in a very interesting direction.