The Other Side is Norwegian band Kalandra’s third studio album. Since their recording debut in 2013 they have managed to maintain an upward trajectory, with critical acclaim, an increasing number of followers, and successfully stepping up from being a support act to touring as headliners. This new release does have several points of difference when compared to 2024’s A Frame of Mind that show a growing maturity in song-writing and a willingness to embrace more globally recognised rock tendencies.
That’s not to say that the band are ‘selling out’ there Norwegian folk roots. The unique and special Kalandra sound, centred on Katrine Ødegård Stenbekk’s extraordinary vocal talents and her distinctly folk-ish delivery is still flourishing and is at the beating heart of all these songs. Maybe the production budget has risen in line with the band’s commercial prospects as there is generally a denser sound now, that leans in more heavily to electric instruments and rock beats, and more layers of colour from the guitars and the keyboards.
The theme of the album was inspired by the band’s ‘dream journalling’, jotting down their nocturnal visions and working them into songs, “It’s been very helpful to write down my dreams; it definitely affected how I wrote lyrics. I would love to do this again, have some sort of loose concept, it brings the record together”, affirms singer Katrine.
One of the obvious differences is that all the lyrics are sung in English and whilst in some ways that sacrifices some of the homespun intimacy that emanated from Katrine’s Norwegian vocals that featured on a couple of the songs on the previous album, it is also recognition of a need for a more consistent approach. In another adaptation, the vocal harmonies provided by the layering of Katrine’s voice that have always been part of the band’s signature studio sound are augmented by collaborations with two fellow Nordic artists who add their own oral spice to three of the songs in the set.
The Other Side is an overtly ambitious album from a band that seem to have a bountiful supply of self-confidence and undoubtedly have the artistry to back it up. It deserves a closer look at the set list to see just how successful the band have been, and what, in particular, recommends the album to the wider, global audience they are so diligently aiming for.
Opening track In the Shadows provides an unmistakeable re-introduction to the band’s signature sound. The delicately brooding opening section features Katrine’s expressive vocals and the harmonic chorus builds the tension before a suitably apocalyptic finale. So far, so Kalandra. That perception of continuity is rapidly called into question by the aggressive drum groove that introduces Animal. The chorus unashamedly ‘rocks’ and the addition of front of centre synth phrases and the violence of the drumbeats pushes the band into new territory. Faroese singer-songwriter Elinborg contributes additional vocals and as Katrine explains, “Kalandra have long joked about our inability to write an upbeat song, so at 136 BPM, this one finally proves that we’re capable of it!”.
A mellow introduction to Lost in the Dark is welcome relief, and the band settle back into more familiar folk/rock territory. As the tension builds some extra reverb, and sustain on the guitars fills the speakers with a wall of soundscape evoking the other-worldly atmosphere of a forest walk that turns a bit, well, dark.
In contrast, Let Me Be Open, has a much lighter feel and sparser arrangement, presenting as it does, a brand of electro pop/folk, complete with sequenced synthesiser melodies. Following on is Chasing Dreams that begins as another melodic pop song but climaxes with a dynamic soundscape and wailing vocals, echoing the haphazard nature of dreams and nightmares.
So, side one, if we can call it that these days, has Kalandra creating the shortish bursts of thoughtful, energetic, theatrical, art/folk/rock songs that have captivated fans since their debut. For this release they are already showing that they can stretch and expand their sound palette to incorporate new colours and textures successfully without losing the essence of their musical USP. Side two sees that progressive approach broadened still further with some fine examples of longer form story-telling.
A Ship Has Left the Shore is an ambitious, cinematic, but minimalistic folk tune, a stage for Katrine to deliver a scintillating, edge-of-your-seat, vocal performance.
“The sun will rise again”, and the beauty of simplicity will emerge as high art.
The lull in tempo is broken by Beauty & the Beast another dark, rhythmic song full of pure rock energy. Katrine pulls off another spell-binding theatrical performance and the band attack the groove with full force. Then, once more, vocals and piano are at the fore for Descend the Stars, another enigmatic folk tune, with Katrine’s feminine spirit accompanied by choral bass notes provided by Árstíðir. The Icelandic folk/pop band are a sextet of musicians who all sing, and they also feature on The Other Side, a brief harmonic, choral interlude that precedes, and foretells, the opening theme of the final track Melancholic. The wall of soundscapes returns for what is an epic finale. Katrine gives another huge and powerful performance, providing an artistic subtlety that cuts through the sonic orchestral washes that form the basis of the musical arrangement, with the rest of the band providing a suitably dense and stirring finale. Truly a surround sound aural experience.
There are a lot of musical and stylistic variations across the set and individually they have all worked exceptionally well. Whether it’s folk, alt, rock or progressive the songs on the album make for a superb collection. For fans of the band, like me, that diversity isn’t a problem and it won’t stop me recommending this album wholeheartedly, but be aware that it may be off-putting for new listeners who are expecting one particular thing or another.
The Kalandra 2027 touring schedule includes 5 dates in the UK in early March, in Bristol, Nottingham, Glasgow, Manchester, and London, and extends widely across Europe and the Nordics.
TRACK LISTING
01. In the Shadows (4:26)
02. Animal (4:26)
03. Lost in the Dark (4:26)
04. Let Me Be Open (4:52)
05. Chasing Dreams (4:18)
06. A Ship Has Left the Shore (6:11)
07. Beauty & the Beast (4:17)
08. Descend the Stars (3:47)
09. The Other Side (1:23)
10. Melanchoholic (6:09)
Total Time – 44:15
MUSICIANS
Katrine Ødegård Stenbekk – Vocals
Jogeir Daae Mæland – Guitar, Keyboard
Florian Bernhard Döderlein Winter – Guitar
Oskar Johnsen Rydh – Drums
~ With:
Elinborg – Vocals (2)
Árstíðir – Vocals (7 & 8)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: By Norse Music
Country of Origin: Norway
Date of Release: 13th November 2026
LINKS
Kalandra – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp (By Norse Music) | YouTube | X | Instagram
