Just as the opening track introduces, this is an easy album to listen to. For the same reason have Röyksopp’s music been used in various commercials, because of their easy-going and laid back sound. The music has warm reminisces of a forgotten time, more specifically the 70’ies. The love of heart-warming melodies and funky rhythms is easy to recognize, as Melody A.M. cherishes a joyful and intuitive vibe. This Norwegian duo has been widely recognized for this album because of their widespread musical creativity, and it’s certainly no wonder why.

Melody A.M. does in a way represent the tunes that were transmitted through radio waves in the 50’ies, 60’ies and 70’ies. The grainy quality that AM radio was known for provided the post-war population with modern dance tunes, and the warm melodies were received well through small transistor radios. The love of the same crackling melodies is very present on this album. With a modern approach, Röyksopp mixes old samples with minimalistic beats and their own retro-styled instrumental parts, all put together to match a very organic soundscape. The catchy single “Eple” has a cheerful organ motif that hums along sweetly with a child-like happiness, and it’s hard not to love it for its catchy simplicity. Its crisp sound continues on the string heavy “In Space”, which could be called a ballet; lightweight and pure – which perhaps could describe what it’s like to be in space. Regardless of the music’s intentions, every track has been made with great imagination, which is one of the great qualities of this album.

The Norwegian musician Erlend Øye, known from Kings of Convenience, is featured on the album. This includes the haunting “Poor Leno” where his laid back voice meets one of the first up-tempo tracks on the album. It has a funky forward-minded feel that represents the danceable side of Röyksopp, which they continued on the successor, The Understanding. The second track featuring Erlend Øye is likewise funkier than the rest of the album, and impresses with its edgy bassline and tight drums, but the essence of this album is the downbeat styled beats, which are intuitive and rich with their mixed impressions in both major and minor keys. They take you by surprise and help you on your way back to a golden time with a soundtrack so analog and real it’s hard to imagine it being recreated in the 21st century. Melody A.M. is glad to take you back with its warm and mellow vibe.

by Emil