Recorded in a working dairy farm in the backwoods of West Wales, ‘Reflection of Youth’ was written during a period of EERA’s life when, she says, Norwegian society expects everyone “to figure everything out.” It’s no surprise, then, that this record is investigative, as it thrives in its experimentation, moving seamlessly between styles from honey-sweet lo-fi to angry pulsating rock with soul-searching, introspective, electronic twists.
Lead single ‘I Wanna Dance’ is a punchy introduction to the Norwegian’s debut – a fantastic cry for freedom of expression, liberty and autonomy, while itself restrained within the confines of a rigid time signature and ominous bassline. Douglas Dare’s drag alter ego provides a powerful visual for the track, dancing through empty London streets, early-risers and flocks of pigeons.
There is exploration, frustration and uncomfortable pain in excess. But above all, ‘Reflection of Youth’ is impeccable because it holds nothing back. While it thematically seeks to wrestle life’s problems head first, it goes one further to knock them out cold.
