Scandinavia for decades now has had a reputation of producing some of the world’s finest pop acts. Past and present, the Scandinavians just seemingly make pop music that is effortless, tasteful and consistently innovative. With International – Lust For Youth’s most recent record – championing influences like the Pet Shop Boys, New Order and Depeche More, the band find themselves in a position where they could soon be added to the canon of great Scandinavian pop acts. Moving slowly away from the desolate soundscapes of their early cold-wave work, the band have found great artistic success on record with embracing a more Technicolor sonic palate. This success however, as seen at London’s Shacklewell Arms, does not entirely translate to the live setting.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dIFR1MRwZg&w=560&h=315]

If International by Lust For Youth invoked images of careering down motorways, sunglasses on with the sun shining and epic flat stretches all around, then listening to Lust For Youth live is unfortunately like driving that car with the handbrake on. There was a confusing disconnect between the music performed and Hannes Norrvide’s vocal. One of International’s great strengths was to mix the newfound Technicolor with Norrvide’s vocal delivery. Heavily reminiscent at times of Robert Smith with his dark and moody vocal style, his vocal serves as an interesting juxtaposition to the bright melodies. But live, his longing, baritone vocal style only slowed down tracks and at times distracted from the otherwise excellent pop music being performed. ‘Illume’ and ‘Running’, both highlights from the excellent International, are two tracks that especially fell foul of this live disconnect. And in return the atmosphere at the Shacklewell Arms felt flat, with very muted responses in between songs. This, I partly speculate, may have been due to the secret Arcade Fire DJ set scheduled after the band. Higher tempo numbers however had enough gusto to not be hindered by the vocal delivery. The vocals in tracks such as ‘Chasing the Light’ and ‘Ecstasy’ seemingly were mixed with the right amount of reverb and performed in a way that enabled them to be pieced into the songs as an important texture, which reminded me of why Lust for Youth are such an interesting pop act on the cusp of something truly magnificent. Both of the aforementioned tracks were performed with the clarity and poise I dreamt of prior to the concert.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxyZXglIPQ8&w=560&h=315]

Lust For Youth’s performance in itself was reminiscent of the lineage of alternative pop music through time. Kraftwerkian in nature, they stood in formation, while Hannes Norrvide smouldered over the microphone – semi-Ian Curtis, semi-Liam Gallagher with the way he placed both hands behind his back and leant into the microphone. But yet there was an air of nonchalance to the performance – maybe they or Hannes Norrvide in particular wasn’t ‘feeling it’. And for a band that has made such a driving, colourful and up-tempo record in International, it is a shame to see the live show not quite work out. In the end it feels as if the car is there, all ready raring to be unleashed, but the driver hasn’t quite yet figured out how to release the handbrake and get it out of second gear.

Footage of the concert can be found below:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acNUgT6jR_8&w=420&h=315]

Lust for Youth played:

1. Epoetin Alfa
2. New Boys
3. Breaking Silence
4. Ecstasy
5. Running
6. Chasing the Light
7. Always Changing
8. Illume
9. International
10. Behind Curtains

23

Add to the story...