Reviews
2060 or so - short version
The guitar is by Michael Horton. The rest is by me. Read more on this song under Releases.
Songplode
"The horn doesn’t decorate the song; it argues, warns, and laments."
"There’s a sense that he’s arrived at this point without illusion, carrying the perspective that only comes from years spent building a life both inside and outside of music. That gives “2060 or So – Short Version” its bite. It’s not chasing consensus. It’s reaching for listeners who want music with a pulse and a point of view, people who don’t mind being unsettled if the song earns it... In that sense, Piftemaen’s shorter cut lands like a flare shot into a hazy sky: urgent, unshowy, and impossible to ignore."
"...Musically, 2060 or so embraces a raw rock energy that perfectly complements its themes. The instrumentation feels purposeful and direct, creating an atmosphere that balances intensity with reflection..."
"...What makes the track especially compelling is its ability to provoke thought without sacrificing musical engagement..."
"...With 2060 or so, Piftemaen proves that music can still challenge, inspire, and spark conversation. It is a passionate release that resonates long after the final note fades."
The House of the Rising Sun
Caroline Lavelle took on a totally new approach as she made her version of this old song, together with Clare Kenny. I came in later with my sax and did a remix. For a long time our version was on top of the list over streaming on Spotify for covers on this song, despite being over 7 minutes long. Read more under Releases.
Korliblog
"One of the song’s greatest strengths is its atmosphere. The arrangement maintains a steady sense of movement, driven by an infectious drum groove and jazz-inspired instrumentation that keeps the message engaging rather than overwhelming. The musical backdrop creates enough space for the spoken-word delivery to take center stage while still providing momentum."
"Thought-provoking, ambitious, and musically engaging, “2060 or So – Short Version” succeeds as both an artistic statement and a call to think more deeply about the path society is currently following."
Hellafuzz
Plastic Magazine
"...Set up by Piftemaen’s bright sax leads, a moody groove forms where rustling drums, pulsing bass lines and smooth sax tones flow with hypnotic rhythm. Dropping the instrumentation back, Piftemaen’s deep, spoken word style vocal delivery enters to spin picture painting lyricism before the arrangement swells with smokey vibes capped by slick sax performance to deliver an engrossing art rock jam that’s memorable and highly original from start to finish..."
Sinusoidal
"There’s no better soundtrack to dystopia than what Piftemaen offers..."
"Opening with sultry sax, I would state this as a false start to anyone fixated only to the intro of the song. When the drums and haunting ambience come in, you’re barely prepared for what has been wrapped up for you. A delectable, groovy bassline pairs with the sax continuation to deliver on an aesthetic. Vocals are in spoken word, sounding like a damning premonition, like James Earl Jones on the “Thriller” track. While you absorb these lyrics, the percussion becomes a steady spine of the song, something you can latch on to as you feel a sense of hope being lost..."
"...If art is where people can express freely and the people who silence are too dumb to understand it, so be it. Piftemaen is the sound of what the soul wants to say..."
Illustrate Magazine
"The song opens with delicate percussion trembling like distant rain and a low, breathy hum of horns that set a mournful and sensual tone. Lavelle’s dusky and resonant voice enters with an air of lived sorrow as she revisits the famous melody. Her phrasing is deliberate and haunting, her tone rich with vulnerability... Piftemaen’s saxophone rises and falls like a second voice, sighing and consoling, adding emotional gravitas without intruding."
“House of the Rising Sun” has been reimagined countless times, but Piftemaen’s take stands apart, with it’s smoky, cinematic, and intimate mood, curating a slow burn of grief and grace."
Mesmerized
"It’s rather hard to truly put Piftemaen in context. You see, the project shares a space that’s unique and authentic, borrowing from a variety of genres and slices of popular culture... wholesome and vibrant, deeply steeped into the Norwegian musician’s bold and wondrous saxophone."
"Dusting off The Animals’ famous classic, the Norwegian creative team up with singer and cellist Caroline Lavelle, here lending her charming, mysterious and expert vocal tone to the cause. We also find Clare Kenny on bass. The musicianship level in such a lineup is incredibly high, a factor that certainly contributes to making Piftemaen’s music such a cathartic and wholesome listening experience."
Music On The Rox
"The song begins with soft, reverb-drenched guitar before deep percussion slowly joins in. Piftemaen and his arrangement feel deliberate and spacious. The vocals are intimate, almost whispered at first, before building to a soulful intensity. Each note lingers. The production combines electronic texture with organic warmth, giving the timeless story of sin and redemption a new emotional depth."
"... is more than a cover, it’s a reinvention. He manages to make a classic sound both nostalgic and futuristic, a difficult balance few pull off. It’s haunting, elegant, and memorable, showing an artist confident enough to honor the past while carving his own space in the present. It is definitely a strong cover that you will need to add to your playlists."
Testing melodies
The song happens to be an interpretation of the American traditional folk song with the same title and adds multiple layers of complexities, mainly driven through a technique that borrows from the greats of Jazz music along with free-flowing touches of Piftemaen's own artistic merit... Improvisation seems to be a swim in the pond of great emotional complexity for Piftemaen."
"Piftemaen shows great capability in this rare contemporary sphere of Jazz music."
Good music radar
"The saxophone shines throughout the track. Almost taking the centre stage, the instrument inhibits the track beautifully. The track layers its elements, letting each one come up and wash over you like waves. The lyrics are soft and introspective, and the vocals are delicate– it feels like small touches causing ripples in still water. The song has a gravitas that will stay with you even after the track has faded."
"It’s a track you’ll keep coming back to, because hearing it once is not enough."
To check out my music, search for "Piftemaen" on your favourite streaming platform, or press one of the black buttons
