Though Todd Terje is by no means a household name to the average music listener, he is possibly the greatest Nu-disco producer in history. Following his breakout hit “Eurodans” in 2005, Terje has risen to the top of the indie dance world with tracks like “Ragysh” (2011), “Snooze 4 Love” (2011) and possibly his most popular song “Inspector Norse” (2012).
As he has only released singles, EPs and remixes during his decade and a half long career, Terje was long overdue for an album. With “It’s Album Time,” Terje delivers 10 new tracks in addition to previous singles “Strandbar” and “Inspector Norse.”
The album as a whole is a flurry of bubbly synths, soft percussion and bouncy chord progressions interlaced with delicate instrumental melodies. Beneath the surface of the barrage of seemingly lighthearted electronica, however, is an album coated in layers of celebratory emotion. “It’s Album Time” takes its listeners on a musical adventure.
The record opens with an eerie melody that develops into ‘80s style chord progression and lyrics that rise out of layers of synthesizers. With this explosive start, the album’s fuse is lit. Over the course of the next three tracks, “Leisure Suit Preben,” “Preben Goes to Acapulco” and “Svenk SAWITHABUBBLEOVERITs” the songs’ tempos ebb and flow. Shifting from low, heavy bass notes to drifting chord plucks and finally to rapid, fast paced Latin-style melodies, the album’s opening tracks strike a slightly melancholy but optimistic tone.
Progressing into “Strandbar” and “Delorean Dynamite,” “It’s Album Time” reminds listeners that this is still a dance album. With bouncy bass lines, summer-kissed synths and playful piano melodies, these tracks are brimming with energy and glee. However, right when the album seems to have hit its stride, its momentum comes to a complete, and unexpectedly enjoyable, halt in “Johnny and Mary,” a cover of a 1980 Robert Palmer hit. Though it’s the only vocal track on the album, British musician Bryan Ferry’s delicate voice does not sound out of place. The song, which traces out images of two solitary characters walking down a road leading to nowhere, can only be described as beautiful.
And then, as rapidly as it came, “Johnny and Mary” fades out to be replaced by the energetic sounds of “Alfonso Muskedunder.” Throughout the following tracks: “Swing Star Part 1,” “Swing Star Part 2” and “Oh Joy”, the album drops all pretense and entirely unleashes the happiness and joy that characterize the album’s earlier songs. With their rapid melodies, deep chords and wondrous soundscapes, these pieces truly tie the album together.
But “It’s Album Time” still has one more twist left. As the final notes of “Oh Joy” slip away, the sharp opening chords of “Inspector Norse” begin to play. “Inspector Norse,” arguably one of the best dance tracks of all time, stands boldly on its own at the end of the album. With its layers upon layers of synths of all kinds, the music simply exudes joy.
“It’s Album Time” is a celebration. It pays tribute to both the feelings of sadness universal to the human experience and to the happiness and joy that can bring people together. In his debut effort, Terje has created a delightful ode to music. The Norwegian DJ combines the instrumental elegance of a classical composer with the spirited energy of modern day dance music, and the result is phenomenal. “It’s Album Time” is truly a work of art.
