Ole Kirkeng is finally ready to drop his highly anticipated debut album. On Still Not Lost, the listener is treated to an artist bursting with talent and creativity. The young singer-songwriter impressed on the 2021 EP Rocking Chair – a release that landed him a deserved Spellemann award (the Norwegian “Grammy”) on his first try.
So, this time around, the expectations are high. Not only for the songs that make up Kirkeng’s first album, but also for the artist he is becoming. Looking back at the searching musician who arrived back in Norway after years abroad, we now see an entirely different artist unfolding. The confidence he exudes on stage, the wittiness and wordings of his lyrics, and – last but definitely not least – the songs! If he isn’t already a star, he is fast becoming one.
Still Not Lost was recorded and produced along with Norwegian guitar legend and studio wizard Geir Sundstøl, and the result is just top class craftsmanship in all areas. Ole Kirkeng is a songwriter of the old school, who can stand comparisons to names such as Nick Lowe, Randy Newman, Jackson Brown and Father John Misty.
He puts a lot of time and effort into the songwriting trade, and that’s obvious when listening to this collection of tunes. From the immediately catchy “Stupid Questions” via the cute and humorous “I Fell in Love WIth You (at IKEA)” to the epic Dylanesque title track, Still Not Lost contains eight songs, flowing freely between americana, folk and indie – all killer, no filler.
credits
released September 8, 2023
Music and lyrics written by Ole Kirkeng
Produced by Geir Sundstøl and Ole Kirkeng
Tracks 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8:
Recorded by Geir Sundstøl at Studio Intim
Additional engineering by Kim Lillestøl (2,4)
Mixed by Mattias Glavå
Mastered by Morgan Nicolaysen
Tracks 1, 3:
Recorded by Dag Erik Johansen at Athletic Sound
Mixed by Mike Hartung
Mastered by George Tanderø
Photos by Joanne Sørheim
Design by Daniel Postpost Studio
Thank you: Geir Sundstøl, Sander Eriksen Nordahl, Nikolai Hængsle, Tor Egil Kreken, Martin Morland, Shahzad Ismaily, Courtney Marie Andrews, Erland Dahlen, Thomas Gallatin, Mattias Glavå, Mike Hartung, Morgan Nicolaysen, George Tanderø; Die With Your Boots On Records, Postpost Studio, FFUK; Linn Skoie, Trond, Mamma, and Joanne.