Norwegian singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche lives in Brooklyn these days, but the 26-year old’s still writing ambitious, orchestral pop that proves difficult to pin down geographically. Heartbeat Radio, the 12-song followup to the Dan in Real Life soundtrack, comes with string and horn arrangements via High Llamas’ Sean O’Hagan, which add to the dramatic feel: The meta title track recalls an imagined Rufus Wainwright musical. There’s an oldster throwback quality to it — Lerche’s questioning FM radio, whether or not it’s become automatic, if the DJs have drowned in “a sea of reverb,” what comes after heavy rotation, and whether or not this particular song’s too long to make it onto the airwaves. It makes him nauseous, but because he’s a trooper, he wants it to know that his heart still beats for it. He’s a better person than I am.
The Heartbeat Radio tracklist, complete with the clearly Brooklyn influenced “I Guess It’s Gonna Rain Today.”
01 “Good Luck”
02 “Heartbeat Radio”
03 “I Cannot Let You Go”
04 “Like Lazenby”
05 “If Only”
06 “Pioneer”
07 “Easy to Persuade”
08 “Words and Music”
09 “I Guess it’s Gonna Rain Today”
10 “Almighty Moon”
11 “Don’t Look Now”
12 “Goodnight”
Heartbeat Radio is out 9/8 via Rounder. Lerche will tour the US in September and Europe in October. Dates TBA soon.
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Aw, I love this guy. Def looking forward to the album.
Happy to hear that the years in states couldn´t change his style. Can´t wait to hear whole album. Heartbeat radio sounds promising.
Ahh I’m so excited for new Sondre.
Good to see him back.
I love Sondre!
So looking forward to this albumn! Love, love, love him!!!
So happy to hear his new song! sounds great and super excited for sept 8!!!
Dig it.
Very Sondre-ish, awesome song. Can’t wait till September 8th!
charming song-!
it’s great as always-! can’t wait to hear the whole album!
It’s a fantastic song. I can’t wait for September 8th. SL is a singular artist. Lucky us.
I love this guy, cannot WAIT to hear this album
I love the subtle jabs at autotuning in the beginning. A fantastic song! I love how Sondre can span the realms of euro-pop, jazz standards(w/ the Faces Down Quartet), pop rock (Phantom Punch), etc and still maintain his personal charm. Can’t wait for this album.
Definitely an underrated artist, great song.
Can’t wait to hear the whole album, Great song, Heard it live at Joes Pub last summer and great if not greater live.
Was looking up Peggy Lee on You Tube (I’m 59 years old, OK?) , and found Sondre somewhat affectionately relating an account of the great singer’s “impaired” performance before Richard Nixon. Who woulda thought this young star would appreciate Peggy Lee? He seems to be a very engaging person, and his song is fresh and charming.
Lovely! Can’t wait!!
OK Scott, I just turned 60 and am a dedicated (to say the least) Sondre fan. Marking September 8, oh yeah. Have you had the chance to see SL live ? I’ve seen him three times in Boston. His range of musical styles continues to impress me and touch my soul, really.
I had never heard of this guy before today but I really like what I heard. The strings on this song takes it to a whole other level.
I’ll be looking forward to this for sure.
this is great! can’t wait for the new album.
sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetness
Woah, I was waiting for news bout him!! Here in Italy nobody knows him but I really appreciate what he’s done till now, an tis so good to read news and hear something new! G’job Sondre!!!
This is great! Really lovely. Yay Sondre!
SO EXCITED.
im dying in anticipation!
i love the acoustic of HB Radio, but i like the awesome twist you’ve given it sondre! ahhhh i can’t wait to meet you again! (whenever that is) :]
I’ve never heard of this young guy but I find his song great – lively, harmonic, perfectly combining the instrumentation and the voice, having simple but addressing lyrics, … just pleasing. This is what I think of your song, honey. And it’s not too long for the radio. It’s just ok.
You should check out all his albums…they are nothing less than brilliant. Especially the Duper Sessions…I kept thinking, who wrote this tune, was it Lerner & Lowe? Was it George or Ira Gershwin? No! Sondre wrote tunes on that album that sound like standards! We saw him in Montreal on Mother’s Day in 2003 with the Faces Down and they were tremendous. (Sorry to be gushing here…)
Nice! Can’t wait for the album.
paolo nutini is better
WOW. I’ve never seen a post littered with such positive comments. I love Sondre too but I never knew he had the power to suck the cynicism out of this bunch. Bravo Mr. Lerche
Exactly! Sondre Lerche is so great, even Cynical Scenesters, Tragic Hipsters, and Random Internet commenters are united in kind words for his music.
i can’t wait for the album
I’m listening it again and again !!!! I hope Sondre Lerche will come back in Paris for a show ! <3 <3 <3
Love it love it LOVE IIIIT!
It is not just because he being my fav singer. His tunes are so refresing, inspiring and above all, not shallow at all!
Loev this music. And if any of you have the chance to meet Sondre personally, you´ll understand why his music is so great!
*****
I’ll tell you what I think about this song. Not only is Mr. Lerche toothsome, but he is also quite a delightful grig and all this is easily seen in his music. Love this new song!
I love you Sondre. This song is simply gorgeous.
Backing singer on thiis track is Sissy Wish. She is releasing a US album through Afternoon Records in September. Another really exciting artist from Norway!
my FAVOURITE singer of all time! absolutely cannot wait – ‘heartbeat radio’ already sounds fantastic!
great voice great strings , first heard him on sound track of Dan in real life, and bought his old stuff, beautiful music, not likely to see him in Australia sadly. Really interesting that he knows who Peggy Lee is, great, keep it coming Sondre, regards everyone
So stoked. And how very considerate of Sondre to release an album on MY BIRTHDAY! Good call, man! Now my wife doesn’t have to think about what to get me for the bday, esp. since he’ll be swinging by Seattle on his Sep. tour. Quite stoked. Also, did I mention I’m stoked?
I’m so excited to hear this! What a great thing to happen on my birthday.
can’t wait to buy HB Radio!!
Love u Sondree!
I don’t see why “I Guess It’s Gonna Rain Today” is clearly Brooklyn influenced when the guy is from Bergen aka Norway’s city of rain, the equivalent to Seattle over there.
I am in love!