Peace or Love is like a warm embrace from a longtime friend you haven't seen in years. The Norwegian duo's first album in 12 years features the familiar comforting indie folk and pop stylings they've perfected before along with guest vocals from Feist.
Who are the Kings of Convenience, you ask? They are a Norwegian duo Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe who have been doing acoustic folk and indie pop for over two decades now. They've gained quite a following with records like Quiet is the New Loud or Riot On Empty Street including indie favorites like "I'd Rather Dance With You" or "Know How." I can't say I've been too familiar with the band's music. I've heard a song or two back in the day on Pandora Radio (which sounds super ancient just thinking about it) but not much else. The duo aren't just the Kings of Convenience; they're the Kings of Quiet. They typically provide hushed vocal harmonies, quietly strummed guitars, gentle strings and light percussion. They can either get into a groovier dance motion (at a very subdued level) or a gentle lullabied whisper. Not only has their music been quiet... so has their presence recently: this new album is the band's first in 12 years. The music landscape has certainly changed so will Øye and Bøe change along with it?
To answer shortly: no... and that's not a bad thing at all! Peace or Love, the band's fourth studio album, sounds like the duo never left. The warmth and comfort of the band's back and forth guitars and soft vocals are here once again. The band's comeback should please fans both new and old for sure. Although I have only really familiarized myself with Peace or Love and nothing else from them, listening to 2009's Declaration of Dependence holds very similar vibes and aesthetics despite the 12 year gap. The warm and easygoing (and often bossa nova influenced) instrumentation along with the complex (yet simple on the surface) guitar chords from Kings of Convenience remind me of why bands like The Sea and Cake or Real Estate are some of the most captivating bands in guitar-driven indie rock and pop. There is a general sense of what a Kings of Convenience record should sound like and Peace or Love generally succeeds this. They also add some new themes and charms too despite the very familiar comeback of the band's signature folk and pop sound.
The dueling back and forth between the two on "Rocky Trail" is a delightful comeback lead single. It's very moving with its super laidback and almost grand instrumentation featuring strings that accompany the guitars and vocals nicely. There are some groovy nods to soul like "Fever" or "Catholic Country" that are bright high points needed in the majorly slow going track listing. From "Rumours" to "Song About It" to "Ask for Help," there are very gentle and sparse acoustic ballads that will rock you back and forth like a comforting lullaby. What's my favorite surprise on the record are the guest vocal contributions from Leslie Feist, who is one of my all-time favorite singer-songwriters and is another artist who exploded the indie pop and folk scene back in the 2000's. She's been featured on a previous album of theirs so seeing her on this new album is great news. Her softly sung vocals fit perfectly with the band's vocal harmonies and guitars like a missing piece from a jigsaw puzzle you've been searching years for. She pops up on "Love Is a Lonely Thing" and "Catholic Country," two of the biggest highlights on the record. My only complaint is that I would've loved to hear more from Feist on this record. An entire record from Feist and Kings of Convenience would be truly incredible (guys make it happen!). I am ALWAYS down for more Feist; I simply can never get enough of her music.
It's hard to find anything to really complain about Peace or Love. The band's talents and concentration to gentle love songs are still here and better than ever in my opinion. The duo seemed to take a lot of time trying to perfect these performances and it shows. Apparently the band recorded this record five separate times before finalizing on it which takes some patience for sure. The album's flow is incredible and the intimate performances are top notch. Feist's vocal contributions are a wonderful surprise and is indeed the cherry on top to the band's ice cream sundae. Peace or Love is like a warm embrace from a longtime friend you haven't seen in years. The 12 year absence between records didn't matter at all according to the results here. I love the intricately warm and comforting stylings they've provided here; it's why many of my indie rock and pop favorites revolve around this aesthetic. It's also why Real Estate's Atlas and The Sea and Cake's Oui are two of my all-time favorite albums. I can certainly see people being turned off by this; this isn't for everyone. On the surface it may sound like generic coffee house or elevator music to some. But I ask you to look deeper and accept Øye and Bøe's invitation wrap you up in their warm blanket of sound. You won't regret it.
My Rating: 8 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Rocky Trail," "Love Is a Lonely Thing," "Song About It," "Catholic Country," "Ask for Help"
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