Norwegian professional loonies TUSMØRKE are not only one of the most exciting bands these days but also one of the most productive.  Osloborgerlig Tusmørke: Vardøger Og Utburder Vol. 1 is the seventh full-length since the debut was released in 2012. Sure, that are not all “regular” albums. Bydyra for example is one with children’s songs and Osloborgerlig Tusmørke: Vardøger Og Utburder Vol. 1 is actually a collection of demos, rarities and outtakes. No worries, it is on the same high level of quality as all of their releases.
TUSMØRKE have developed a very own style that is hardly to describe and even harder to compare with. Their music ranges anywhere between Krautrock, psychedelic Folk and progressive Rock. Jethro Tull and Black Widow are often named as reference yet fall too short. Add dark Wave/Gothic (I know it’s odd yet homogenous) to the already named genres, and Ennio Morricone-like Italian Western soundtrack music, also the (musical) unpredictability of Zeuhl and the chameleon nature of a David Bowie. With all that, one only stands on the doorsill to the TUSMØRKE universe. The Ian Anderson-flute is as dominant as the 70s organ and the queer, halting and stuttering singing of frontman Benediktator. The atmosphere of the songs can be dark and mystical, but also classic and balladic or chaotic and carnivalesque. You think that is all scatterbrained and unhearable like an overly intellectual Prog cocktail? Nope, it is not!  There is only one long track, the 10 minutes closer Gamle Aker Kirke. All the others are short, compact and to the point but might shock the listener with straight AOR melodies and refrains that can be quite cheesy. Osloborgerlig Tusmørke: Vardøger Og Utburder Vol. 1 is probably not the easiest record to get into the TUSMØRKE world – there is actually no perfect album to do so. They are all rough and ready, dreamy and intoxicating and overwhelming playful.
Yes, one needs to engage with TUSMØRKE. But those, who look for new and unique sounds cannot get around them.