Ane Brun – When I'm Free

Last heard belting out elated guest vocals on Dr. Kucho! and Gregor Salto’s house hit Can’t Stop Playing (Makes Me High), Norwegian songwriter Ane Brun returns to more familiar stylistic climes for her latest, plaintive long-player.

Like predecessor It All Starts with One (indeed, like much of her discography), When I’m Free is a brooding, introspective album that places Brun’s voice front and centre – and for good reason. Her singing has always impressed, and this might be her finest 45 minutes to date; never showy, yet always arresting.

The songwriting isn’t always as lustrous, with a gloomy default setting in parts of the latter half that’s difficult to warm to. But when Brun hits her mark, it's quite something; in particular, the emotional and melodic clarity of Hanging sets a high bar, later matched by the busy percussion of Directions and the elegantly heartfelt pleas of Miss You More.