Listen to the Robin Hood-inspired "Follow the River", the new track from Thea Stapnes
Whether or not you regard Russell Crowe as a boorish oaf or not, he provides influence and inspiration on the new single from Norwegian musician Thea Stapnes.
One of the success stories of last year's Sørveiv festival in Kristiansand, Oslo-based Stapnes found herself stirred by the line “rise and rise again until lambs become lions” in Crowe and Ridley Scott's take on the Robin Hood legend.
A song about perseverance and never giving up, "Follow the River" sees Stapnes take a massive step forward (and away) from her usual singer songwriter genre into something more electronic, aided by producers Øystein Skar (Highasakite) and Odd Martin Skålnes (AURORA). The influence of Skar and Skålnes is clearly heard in the bold and bright production which is heavy on hammered percussion and buzzing synths in the verses before bursting into life with flute-like loops in the chorus, Stapnes' clear voice urging "don't look back / follow the river" to herself as much as the listener.
Having been releasing music since 2011, this is the boldest track yet from Stapnes and proves that biding her time on occasion has meant the ideas we've heard briefly on earlier material can crystallise into something special, justifying the talent which is undoubtedly there.
"Follow the River" is released today via the Brilliance label (Intertwine, Slaughter Beach) and you can listen below.
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