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LP
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HFN 155LP
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Jacob Bellens' new solo Off My Meds took shape over two turbulent years in Jacob's life. Several major life events happened back-to-back in a very short time, and it ended up breaking him down to a point of total exhaustion. The energy needed to uphold the outer self we all need to function was no longer there, and his inner actual beliefs and values began to show themselves one by one, which was not pretty to look at. Change was inevitable, simply because the price of not changing would be much higher in the long term. The album is a pop-poem about accepting the premise of the life given to you. It is an ode to the perils of modern existence and our birth-given right to love, laugh and cry, whatever hand we may have been dealt to begin with. Lyrically it is centered around self-care and the courage to love someone and be loved in return. About taking responsibility for everything in your life instead of using your life history as an excuse for not living, no matter how tragic or unique your situation might be or seem to yourself. Musically it draws upon an eclectic mix of influences and genres, while still maintaining a distinct underlying red thread throughout the album. It is a melancholic funk hybrid with a positive DNA, and though it sounds like pop music in the best sense of the word, it doesn't quite look and feel like pop music. It is rather a collection of sounds and feelings put into words that are deeply personal -- but personal for all. Also featuring M.I.L.K.
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LP
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HFN 111LP
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Danish singer and songwriter Jacob Bellens presents his fifth solo album, My Heart Is Hungry And The Days Go By So Quickly. Thanks to his unique voice and his talent for heartfelt melodies, over the years Jacob, also known as front man of I Got You On Tape and Murder, has become one of the most distinctive figures on the Scandinavian music scene. Slightly darker in tone than its predecessors Trail Of Intuition (HFN 080CD/LP, 2018) or Polyester Skin (HFN 053CD/LP, 2016), the new album lets us see the world through Jacob's eyes. The new album is somewhere between left-field pop and a classical singer/songwriter approach, the songs were recorded in two sessions with producer Mads Brinch, drummer Tobias Laust, bass player Jonas Westergaard, keyboardist Malthe Rostrup, and guitarist Tobias Fuglsang. "So many good friends and amazing instrumentalists have contributed to the sound," explained Jacob. "And mostly, people were playing what they felt the song needed, which was an incredibly inspiring way of just letting the process develop naturally, and take on a life of its own." As such, the recordings give off a distinct light-footed and organic feel. Rich in metaphors, the lyrics deal with personal perceptions based on everyday life occurrences that at the same time hint at the meaning of life in general -- or at least suggest a higher perspective. The sonic expression is timeless but also modernistic and the lyrical point of view is refreshingly diverse, never just black or white. The sad songs have uplifting, often surreal qualities, and the lighter, up-tempo songs also invite to a certain darkness. A flower basket full of difficult emotions, sprinkled with magical fairy dust that somehow makes everything worthwhile. Includes download code; printed inner sleeve with lyrics.
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LP
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HFN 080LP
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LP version. Includes lyrics sheet and download code. With his new album Trail Of Intuition Danish singer and songwriter Jacob Bellens once again is shimmering somewhere in-between electronically influenced songwriting and synth-pop music, using his characteristic voice to reflect on his life's journey. The Copenhagen-based musician has released numerous songs and albums with his previous bands, I Got You On Tape and Murder, with side projects, and features as well as a solo artist. Trail Of Intuition is his fourth solo album and the second one that's internationally signed with HFN. Bellens wrote all the songs for Trail Of Intuition on his computer, with the final production made mostly by Rune Borup and Lars Iversen (The Asteroids Galaxy Tour). Trail Of Intuition is a collection of snapshots of the whole range of feelings for which Bellens digs into the pool of his own experiences. With a significant focus on pop music, an electronic synth twist, and catchy song structures, Trail Of Intuition feels both, bright and melancholic, in many ways. The opener "Sunrise In East" combines warm piano sounds with a semi-psychedelic fantasy and references both personal memories as well as thoughts about nuclear war and druggy, sleeping bees. The rather upbeat single "Renegade" deals with the experience of loss as well as the fear of losing a loved one again, but it also draws on youthful aspirations. Driven by a groovy electronic bass, it has an optimistic and hopeful vibe although lyrically it's one of the darker songs on the album. While "All The Songs" and "Sound Of Laughter" are in many ways merely classical love songs, "Brick By Brick" revolves around the love for the process of making and creating music one day after another. "Friday" is about longing to be somewhere else, dreaming about packing your bags and taking off. "One Of A Kind", creates a darkish but groovy atmosphere, with sluggish piano tones and strings by Ida Marie Arendt and Kirstine Elise Pedersen adding a bit of drama and trumpet (Mikkel Grevsen) offering a festive moment. With Trail of Intuition, Bellen's heads out for the fourth time to tell his story wrapped in catchy pop tunes full of playful oddity to steal the hearts of his (soon-to-be) fans all over the world.
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CD
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HFN 080CD
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With his new album Trail Of Intuition Danish singer and songwriter Jacob Bellens once again is shimmering somewhere in-between electronically influenced songwriting and synth-pop music, using his characteristic voice to reflect on his life's journey. The Copenhagen-based musician has released numerous songs and albums with his previous bands, I Got You On Tape and Murder, with side projects, and features as well as a solo artist. Trail Of Intuition is his fourth solo album and the second one that's internationally signed with HFN. Bellens wrote all the songs for Trail Of Intuition on his computer, with the final production made mostly by Rune Borup and Lars Iversen (The Asteroids Galaxy Tour). Trail Of Intuition is a collection of snapshots of the whole range of feelings for which Bellens digs into the pool of his own experiences. With a significant focus on pop music, an electronic synth twist, and catchy song structures, Trail Of Intuition feels both, bright and melancholic, in many ways. The opener "Sunrise In East" combines warm piano sounds with a semi-psychedelic fantasy and references both personal memories as well as thoughts about nuclear war and druggy, sleeping bees. The rather upbeat single "Renegade" deals with the experience of loss as well as the fear of losing a loved one again, but it also draws on youthful aspirations. Driven by a groovy electronic bass, it has an optimistic and hopeful vibe although lyrically it's one of the darker songs on the album. While "All The Songs" and "Sound Of Laughter" are in many ways merely classical love songs, "Brick By Brick" revolves around the love for the process of making and creating music one day after another. "Friday" is about longing to be somewhere else, dreaming about packing your bags and taking off. "One Of A Kind", creates a darkish but groovy atmosphere, with sluggish piano tones and strings by Ida Marie Arendt and Kirstine Elise Pedersen adding a bit of drama and trumpet (Mikkel Grevsen) offering a festive moment. With Trail of Intuition, Bellen's heads out for the fourth time to tell his story wrapped in catchy pop tunes full of playful oddity to steal the hearts of his (soon-to-be) fans all over the world. CD version comes in a digipack.
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CD
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HFN 053CD
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Jacob Bellens's Polyester Skin is sure to amaze left-field pop enthusiasts and singer-songwriter fans alike. The locally celebrated and award-winning singer-songwriter's third solo album is a wonderful mix of heartfelt lyrics, crisp and modern pop production, and Bellens's signature vocals, which never fail to captivate. As a household name in his native Denmark, Bellens is no stranger to releasing albums and playing live. He has released many albums with his own bands (including Murder and I Got You on Tape), turned in guest performances for other artists, and played close to 500 shows. Polyester Skin came to life in close collaboration with acclaimed Danish producer and DJ Kasper Bjørke, and follows many collaborative endeavors between Bellens and Bjørke; Bellens has often featured on Bjørke's work, including "Young Again" from Standing on Top of Utopia (HFN 004CD, 2010) and "Lose Yourself to Jenny" from Fool (HFN 014CD/LP, 2012). While Polyester Skin's overall sonic impression is electronic, the album also boasts an impressive lineup of guest musicians including Tomas Høffding aka Bon Homme (WhoMadeWho), Jakob Høyer (The Raveonettes, Trentemøller, Darkness Falls), and Nils Gröndahl (Under Byen, Efterklang, Pinkunoizu). Opener "Tidal Wave" sets the mood with open, airy production backing Bellens's voice. The beats and synths have, as Bellens puts it, "some kind of Vangelis/Chariots of Fire thing going on" that's tough to resist. One of Jacob Bellens's distinctive features is the almost Damon Albarn-esque musical diversity of his output. The heavy groove, synth strings, and especially the vocal rhythm of "Behind the Barricades" reveal Bellens's long-held fascination with rap, while "Raining Parachutes" has a Caribbean feel to it, a musical style at which Bellens's earlier work has also hinted. Polyester Skin features quite a few tracks with shuffling grooves and synths that pay homage to a certain flavor of '80s pop, including the up-tempo "Ace of Spades" and the beautiful ballad "Untouchable." But don't let the seemingly lightweight synth-ingredients and crisp drum machines deceive you; a lyrical abundance of existential depth and intimate melancholy is omnipresent throughout Polyester Skin, alongside its groovy, catchy pop songs, including "Back to You" and "Polyester Skin." Jacob Bellens's third solo album is a playful and modern take on the artistic virtues that have made him into one of the most celebrated artists on Denmark's independent scene.
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LP
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HFN 053LP
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LP version. Includes download code. Jacob Bellens's Polyester Skin is sure to amaze left-field pop enthusiasts and singer-songwriter fans alike. The locally celebrated and award-winning singer-songwriter's third solo album is a wonderful mix of heartfelt lyrics, crisp and modern pop production, and Bellens's signature vocals, which never fail to captivate. As a household name in his native Denmark, Bellens is no stranger to releasing albums and playing live. He has released many albums with his own bands (including Murder and I Got You on Tape), turned in guest performances for other artists, and played close to 500 shows. Polyester Skin came to life in close collaboration with acclaimed Danish producer and DJ Kasper Bjørke, and follows many collaborative endeavors between Bellens and Bjørke; Bellens has often featured on Bjørke's work, including "Young Again" from Standing on Top of Utopia (HFN 004CD, 2010) and "Lose Yourself to Jenny" from Fool (HFN 014CD/LP, 2012). While Polyester Skin's overall sonic impression is electronic, the album also boasts an impressive lineup of guest musicians including Tomas Høffding aka Bon Homme (WhoMadeWho), Jakob Høyer (The Raveonettes, Trentemøller, Darkness Falls), and Nils Gröndahl (Under Byen, Efterklang, Pinkunoizu). Opener "Tidal Wave" sets the mood with open, airy production backing Bellens's voice. The beats and synths have, as Bellens puts it, "some kind of Vangelis/Chariots of Fire thing going on" that's tough to resist. One of Jacob Bellens's distinctive features is the almost Damon Albarn-esque musical diversity of his output. The heavy groove, synth strings, and especially the vocal rhythm of "Behind the Barricades" reveal Bellens's long-held fascination with rap, while "Raining Parachutes" has a Caribbean feel to it, a musical style at which Bellens's earlier work has also hinted. Polyester Skin features quite a few tracks with shuffling grooves and synths that pay homage to a certain flavor of '80s pop, including the up-tempo "Ace of Spades" and the beautiful ballad "Untouchable." But don't let the seemingly lightweight synth-ingredients and crisp drum machines deceive you; a lyrical abundance of existential depth and intimate melancholy is omnipresent throughout Polyester Skin, alongside its groovy, catchy pop songs, including "Back to You" and "Polyester Skin." Jacob Bellens's third solo album is a playful and modern take on the artistic virtues that have made him into one of the most celebrated artists on Denmark's independent scene.
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