Why you'll hate it: Lyrics will give you "douche-chills"
In an alternate dimension, Erlend Øye would have released my favorite album of the year. It's been 5 years since the last Kings of Convenience (on hiatus) and The Whitest Boy Alive (R.I.P.) releases. Last year, Øye resurfaced as a solo act with "La Prima Estate" and the promise of an all Italian island beach party album. Things apparently fell through, because we got Legao instead.
Sonically, Legao is pretty fantastic. It's got more of a Whitest Boy Alive (funky bass) feel to it than I expected. Unfortunetly nothing as fun and bubbly as "La Prima Estate", but plenty of groovy relaxed melodies. I was really hoping for an Italian album though, because Erland's lyrics have never connected with me. They're self serving, judgmental, and vague. Erland mostly sings about lies and love (and believe me, he does a lot!). The message is always too obvious to be poetic. There is no introspection or soul bearing weakness. It's always lessons given to the listeners. At best, he comes off as a Mary Sue. It's not a good look. At worst, he's sounding like he's just writing these songs to get laid.
These are the frustrating two sides of Legao. It sounds lovely. "Save Some Loving", "Fence Me in", "Garota" - all hypnotizing songs. Erland has the perfect voice to accompany the tone of these songs. The personality is just too... perhaps guarded, or artificial to relate to. He's going for the gentle romantic look, but instead comes off like the antagonist in a romantic comedy. There is just something untrustworthy about him... And this is why he should sing in Italian for now on.
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