A Guide To Exploring Jorn Lande

Jorn - Promises

From Jorn’s fifth studio album, Lonely Are the Brave, “Promises” is a mid-tempo, hard rocker dealing with lingering betrayal, rife with forlorn sorrow and punctuated by a sultry vocal delivery.

The chugging guitar that begins this track is somewhat misleading. Indicating that, perhaps, a faster tempo-ed rhythm will follow, it manages to settle into a comfortable, yet nearly sinister, groove. However, this quickly sets the stage for a seamless transition into the chorus: a simple resonance between bristly electric guitar and Jorn’s mighty declarations. The contrast between such a thick, heavy riff and well-executed chorus is the focal point and essence of this track.

That’s not to say that “Promises” can be considered a simple song — boasting a keen, subtle progression of guitar riffs and passages, there are enough rewarding parts to prompt repeated listens (even aside from Jorn’s gritty, passionate bellowing). That being said, this album marks the third (and sadly, last) collaboration between Jorn and guitarist Jorn Viggo Lofstad (most notably from Pagan’s Mind). And at least within Jorn’s solo discography, he is the finest co-songwriter he has worked with so far.

Jorn - Forever Yours

Coming off of Jorn’s very first solo effort, Starfire, “Forever Yours” is his first original ballad released (and one of few altogether). Being a ballad, the song concerns the ill-fated subject of ‘love’, but manages to save itself from utter banality. A man trying to rekindle (or at least salvage) the fading feelings of a long-term relationship may seem the basis of a somewhat downtrodden song, but is rather uplifting.

The track begins — and continues throughout — with a soothingly cheery acoustic guitar melody (credited to Ronni Le Tekrø — who had previously performed with Jorn in the band Vagabond) laden with a fuzzy stringed synth intstrument. This basic (yet, evocative) foundation provides Jorn with the necessary stage — to not only exercise his powerful vocal energy — but, more importantly, to infuse a highly effective sense of passion into the lyrics in order to portray the desperation and sadness in the main character’s voice while emphasizing his adamant hope for the future.

I find this song to be a “hidden gem.” It desires a certain amount of time and patience in order to make its depths known. Hearing it once denies the justice it deserves to fully blossom.