Norwegian duo Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe have teamed up with the string stylings of Davide Bertolini and Tobias Hett to add some bossa-novan flair to an already endearing Scandinavian quirkiness. Picture Belle and Sebastian meeting Simon and Garfunkel for margaritas at sunset. The music is more subdued here than on their previous work, producing a haunting yet less spirited result. As the album title suggests, the content is less than romantic. This is a woeful testimonial to the dependent nature of relationship and the fear of losing one’s individuality to love. As a guise, the Kings serenade us softly like sirens, distracting us from the dispiriting sadness and creating an air of intimacy with the listener, often singing so harmoniously that the two voices melt into one.

Published in Volume 64, Number 10 of The Uniter (November 5, 2009)