The release of the new album Trollringen from Anders Buaas is a significant landmark in the Norwegian multi-instrumentalist’s career to date. So far, he has released instrumental albums, achieving an ever-increasing measure of respect, in his home country and worldwide, for his solo work whilst also keeping busy as a producer, guest musician and collaborator. This is his sixth release, and what marks it out as a departure from the norm are the songs with accompanying lyrics, and vocals provided by both male and female guest musicians.
The album is also more heavily balanced in favour of the acoustic over the electric guitar, and these two key developments make for an especially lush and laidback pop/prog ambience. Despite the gloom of the Trollringen story that provides the inspiration, the songs and soundscapes are light and melodic with none of the characteristic heavy darkness that can often pervade music emanating from the Nordics. Anders has explained that “all the songs were written between 2019 and 2025. While there was no concept in mind initially, they ended up fitting the story perfectly. I’ve always focused on instrumental music, but I had some songs with lyrics that hadn’t found a home — until now. This album was the right place for them”.
Lightness of touch is one of Anders Buaas trademark qualities. It marks out his ability to combine progressive, popular, and folk elements to create melodic, cinematic, rock music on a broad canvas. The sunny weather we have been enjoying in April has been the perfect backdrop for completing this review as this is definitely an album suited to the summer season. It’s jaunty and soulful, with a pleasing mix of simple tunes and deeper progressive tracks. I am also willing to guess that the inclusion of a posse of guest musicians has bought in more varied influences and styles that make for a well-rounded listening experience.
The Prologue is an introduction to the main protagonist in the story, one Havard Viland, who feels stifled and cut off from the staid and stagnating community around him, and who “just wants his heart and soul to flow”. It has a Wishing Tree feel about the folksiness of the tune, the female lead vocal, and some winsome Rothery-esque electric guitar phrases highlighted above the acoustic backing track.
To be honest, I’m really not sure what to make of Opening Credits. As the title implies, I can imagine sitting back and watching the opening sequence of Havard toiling away on his farm, set, no doubt, in some spectacular Norwegian scenery, and going about his business. The music itself is a rather twee folk jig and would certainly have sounded more authentic if played using traditional instruments. It’s a marmite track that is more digestible as a portion of the whole, but less so when encountering it outside of its context.
Best I Can Be is a gentle, meandering song played out simply on acoustic guitar. The vocal performance is soulful and resonates with charm and emotion. It a most unexpected pleasure, and the melody is carried forward into the soundscape of Intermission, where electronic sounds gradually add substance, and this sets the scene for the story to begin in earnest as next up, we have the first of the showpiece tracks Trollringen.
It begins with a similar acoustic guitar motif soon accompanied by piano, and followed by some sublime soprano saxophone from Steinar Børve. This upbeat melodic section transitions to a sporadic, calming bridge before Anders takes the spotlight with an epic electric guitar solo. His signature style emulates both Gilmour’s sustained, sweeping melodic themes and Rothery’s use of personalised stylistic flourishes. The track closes with the saxophone reprising the main melody and although the listener has to fill in the blanks regarding the story-telling, given that this is an instrumental track, the cinematic quality to Anders Buaas’ music is highlighted beautifully.
The second half of the album starts with Sunrise. The opening country and western style acoustic section is a precursor for a fast-paced, dynamic, and virtuoso electric guitar solo. Once again, I’m struggling to place this stylistic variation in the context of the Trollringen concept, but it works just fine as a complementary piece in the setlist.
The Balance of being One also has lyrical content and I have to say that, in Anders’ debut outing as a lyricist, the songs are beautifully written. He has also teamed up with an impressive line up of vocalists, in this case Manchester based singer Tim Condor delivers a suitably heartfelt performance.
In terms of the story-telling he mixes things up again with The Last Drop, that leans heavily on a Spanish / Flamenco style showcasing Anders’ prowess on acoustic guitar. This diversion is followed by As I Draw My Last Breath, the second of the longer form, progressive tracks. The complex rhythms and driving bass line in the first section provide the backdrop, and a fascinating contrast, to the more reflective tone of the song itself. In the second half the main melody is bought to the fore and the juxtaposition of the two parts of this piece maintains the ‘expect the unexpected’ feel of the musical flow, whilst remaining true to the overall tone of the album.
End Credits closes out the album with a classic AB piece incorporating one of Anders trademark lyrical guitar solos at front of centre. It sort of sums up the album, to a degree, by eschewing the obvious climactic finale for a more simplified approach, and the melody is allowed to play itself out to a close, without a need to resort to fireworks.
The nuances within the album are what makes this special, to me. The album is another fine example of Anders Buaas doing what he does best, but he also delivers on his knack of tweaking his offering by constantly adding new elements. For newcomers, Trollringen is a great place to start as it plays just like a progressive LP should play, it’s an artistic, satisfying, thoughtful, journey from start to finish. There is no guarantee that you will want to delve further back in the catalogue, but if the sun is shining, you are sitting comfortably, and your glass is topped up, then 49 minutes of your time listening to Trollringen will be time well spent.
TRACK LISTING
01. Prologue (3:07)
02. Opening Credits (4:05)
03. Best I Can Be (4:48)
04. Intermission (1:58)
05. Trollringen (8:28)
06. Sunrise (4:18)
07. The Balance of Being One (5:22)
08. The Last Drop (4:24)
09. As I Draw My Last Breath (8:10)
10. End Credits (4:24)
Total Time – 49:04
MUSICIANS
Anders Buaas – Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Percussion
~ With:
Steinar Børve – Soprano Saxophone
Henrik Madsen – Drums, Percussion
Rune Erling Pedersen – Drums, Percussion
Joakim Biondi – Piano
Tim Condor – Vocals
Tanya Wells – Vocals
Miriam Kjølen – Vocals
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Apollon Records
Country of Origin: Norway
Date of Release: 6th June 2025
LINKS
Anders Buaas – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | Instagram
