Running To The Sea – Röyksopp Ft. Susanne Sundfør
Running To The Sea
Röyksopp Ft. Susanne Sundfør
4:56 min •EMI Music Norway, Dog Triumph Ltd. • December 12, 2012
Andrew Darley reviews
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Röyksopp snuck up on the tail end of 2012 and delivered a swift uppercut punch return with a brand new single. The release came as a bit of a surprise as there appears to be no sign of a new album slated for release and it’s their first offering of new material since 2010’s Senior. Röyksopp are no strangers to collaborating with other artists and have previously worked with Robyn, Kate Havnevik, Karin Dreijei Andersson of The Knife and Lykke Li.
On this occasion, the electronic duo have teamed up with fellow Norwegian singer-songwriter, Susanne Sundfør. Although she has released five albums to date and is critically renowned in Norway, her time may be right around the corner to break through internationally. The collaboration came about to mark the final show of NKR Lydverket, Norway’s equivalent to Later… With Jools Holland. With initial intentions of a cover version, the band explained that the energy of the pairing was so strong that it sought the creation of an entirely new composition.
The result of this session is ‘Running To The Sea’, which describes the rush and the sadness of someone escaping their chaotic reality. Starting with a sobering piano and lamenting “burning houses and trees”, the song gradually builds up momentum with whirling synthesizers and choral chants, while leaving the scene’s destruction behind. Between Susanne Sundfør’s chillingly beautiful voice and images of howling and “ravaged horses kept within”, this one isn’t going to be one to forget easily.
It’s not often a song comes along that reminds you of landmark dance such as Olive’s ‘You’re Not Alone’ or Grace’s ‘Not Over Yet’. What these songs share is that they take emotional story and lyrics and match it with wistful, expressive music that makes you want to move to it. ‘Running To The Sea’ doesn’t try to emulate these past glories, rather it captures a spirit that made those songs great and still so today.
Fifteen years into their career, this single showcases a band striving creatively and an air that their best may be yet to come. Hopefully the next album isn’t too far off into the future as this song has my heart in a flutter and my body moving.
