I am always excited when Matinée Records release something new, because so far (and they have a long history) EVERYTHING have been good from this label. The recent years have been better than ever, and one of the bands from the label that really has made my heart beat faster recently, is the Danish indiepop-trio Northern Portrait.

Earlier this year, they released their fabulous debut ep  “The Fallen Aristocracy”, with the intensely catchy “Crazy” as the leading track. Now they have released a new 4 track EP, “Napoleon Sweetheart EP”, and it’s another super-brilliant release from the band! In many ways, it’s even better than their debut. “I give you two seconds to entertain me” is a classic pop song with a chorus to die for, and the vocals are …mmmm! Stefan Larsen’s vocals are among the best out there. He’s been compared to people like Morrissey and Jens Lekman, but they are both far below him on my list.

Please learn this poor Norwegian writer some more superlatives to use for this review…

Northern Portrait’s songs have a rare quality, and like on their debut, all of the four songs on this EP could have been the a-side of a single. “Sporting a Scar”, “Our Lambrusco Days” and especially “In an Empty Hotel” are all really, really good songs that will be played over and over again on my stereo.

Now I’ve got 8 songs + a cover (via Buffet Libre’s fine Rewind project) from this fabulous band, and I already want more. The band have recorded their debut album, and from what I’ve understood, it will be a matinée release too. The label will release new albums from several bands we love in the coming months: Would-Be-Goods, The Lucksmiths, Bubblegum Lemonade and The Guild League… Oh, I love matinée!

Listen to “I give you two seconds to entertain me”:

northern portrait – i give you two seconds to entertain me