Orbits (Norway) – Synthetic Sweetness (single/possible future album track)

They’re calling them a ‘super band.’ That’s often the kiss of death but I don’t think so this time.

Orbits is a manufactured band in the sense that they got together to write a commissioned piece for the Molde Jazz Festival in 2022. But that’s the only way they could be thus described.

That commission was called ‘Glass’. I somehow suspect that refers to the composer Philip Glass who appears to have had an influence on this new piece, ‘Synthetic Sweetness’, along with others as diverse as multi-genre American muso Thundercat, Sade – who needs no introduction – and the Brazilian composer Arthur Verocai.

Indeed, diversity reigns supreme here every way you look at it. The band is led by Lars Horntveth, of the Norwegian jazz-rockers Jaga Jazzist and it also incorporates Natalie Sandtorv (aka Neon Ion), who has been featured in NMC, while producer Erlend Mokkelbost (who also plays guitar here) has worked with Sandra Kolstad, who was here not so long ago.

And here’s a thing. Numbered amongst the seven musicians who contributed to ‘Synthetic Sweetness’ is Zach Tenorio (-Miller) of US indie rockers Arc Iris, whose keyboard skills are a delight to listen to and watch. Seems he flew in all the way from L.A., where Arc Iris is now based, just to record the organ parts. And then he’s only one of three keyboardists!

This is getting to be more like The Giants of Jazz meets Cream meets Emerson, Lake and Palmer every minute.

Orbits is a combination of their respective styles with one common denominator and that is jazz experimentation. That is what underpins this song but also thrown into the mix is a mélange of rock, psychedelia, R&B and soul.

You wouldn’t think that those styles would gel, but they do.

The song begins with the honey-laryxned Sandtorv taking over where Sade’s ‘Your love is king’ left off before it opens up into a jazzy instrumental/soulful vocal combo that might be the marriage betrothal of New Orleans and Detroit.

After that it wanders all over the musical universe with a distinctly up-tempo poppy section giving way to a short synthesiser prog-like bridge, Natalie’s pop-spangled return and then underpinned by heavier prog chords before it outros in the same jazzy party beat that has been there all along.

A cornucopia of delights.

And what is that beat? I’m no muso but I like to play ‘guess the time signature’ and I’m hedging my bets on it being 6/4, partly because that’s what the groove feels like and partly because while popular in jazz it navigates across styles like this track does.

Am I right or is someone about to blow me a raspberry?

Lyrically, Natalie says the song is a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and personal growth, delving into the complexities of relationships, capturing the bittersweet emotions that come with both closeness and separation.”

With no lyric sheet and being one of those people who doesn’t easily hear them through the music I can only comment on the early wordplay, which I can hear and which could be from a Fiona Apple track on ‘Tidal’. “But I’m still immersed in the richness of your closeness.”

That means they are crisp, concise and meaningful. I’m noted previously Natalie’s ability to mix a sultry delivery with a slightly brooding one. ‘Nuff said.

It looks like this isn’t just a one-off track either and that an album will eventually be forthcoming. I hope there will be because there are not many bands that can roll genres together into a cohesive whole like this and there is assuredly a niche to be filled.

‘Synthetic Sweetness’ is out on 16th August. If you’re in Norway, Orbits will be performing at Oslo Jazz Festival on 17th August. (And they are joined in live performances by members of Fieh and Elephant9).

Lineup:

Natalie Sandtorv – vocals

Lars Horntveth – synth, piano, horns, guitar

Zack Tenorio – organ, keys

Kai Von Der Lippe – keys

Nikolai Eilertsen Hængsle – bass

Ola Øverby – drums

Erlend Mokkelbost – production, guitar

Find them on:

Orbits –

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orbits_band/