artist: Bliss country of origin: Denmark style(s): Ambient pop, world beat, ethno-ambient essential releases: Quiet Letters (Music For Dreams)

2004's best ambient pop album was the international debut of Bliss, nominally a Danish band but with its four members hailing from Denmark, Sweden and West Africa. It could be argued that such an exceptionally polished blend of pop phrasing, ethereal electronics, Eastern flavours and neo-classical strings was bound to get noticed thanks to its surface attractions alone. What really matters, though, is that such fine craft is matched by composing and song writing of such tenderness that at times you can only drop you jaw and listen in wonder. Yes, it's that good.
 
Both resident singer Alexandra Hamnede and guest Sophie Barker (from Zero 7) have voices as pure and crystal clear as a mountain stream. One of many vocal highlights is the almost-jazzy torch song "Right Here", a track of remarkable stillness that features little more than voice and a tentative electric piano. The more optimistic "Kissing" is the album's sweetest moment and simply a very good pop song. The instrumentals and part-instrumentals are every bit the equal of the songs. They are fully-released both musically and emotionally and blessed on occasion with the spine-tingling African vocals of the African-born member Salvador Embalo. "Duniya" is full of longing and loneliness, while the 11-minute "Manvantara" is a downright catchy nod to Latin house with African trimmings.

This is an album full of space. It is a testament to the band's arranging skills that no matter how many different instruments they play - piano, accordion, guitars, tribal drums, synth drones - there is still space everywhere on Quiet Letters. Space to reflect, to cry, to smile, to utterly lose yourself in. "Soulful" is barely an adequate word, but until you hear this, it will have to do.

HOME