Morten Martens is an acclaimed Kristiansand, Norway-based singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, who has had a several decade-long career. Initially cutting his teeth as a highly sought-after touring and session player, Martens gradually moved away from touring and did much more studio work.
Slowly collecting gear and gaining experience behind the boards, he built his own studio on Odderøya Island, just outside of Kristiansand. He began to make a living playing with and recording other artists’ music; in fact, back in 2006, Martens won a Spelleman Award (a.k.a. Norwegian Grammy) for producing a hip-hop album, and he has received nominations in three other genres.
As the story goes, after those sessions would end he would work on his own project into the wee hours of the night. And from those late night sessions, Martens’ solo recording project Les Imprimés was born — and its full-length debut, Rêverie began to take shape. But as the acclaimed Norwegian singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer explains in press notes, “it wasn’t until COVID, when things locked down, that I was really able to find the time to focus on Les Imprimés.”
“It was a scary time,” Martens continues. “But I knew I had to do something with it.” Sonically, he took the sum of his influences, combined them with his own vibe and got busy writing the arrangements and lyrics, playing the instruments and singing. “It’s soul music but I don’t exactly have the soul voice,” he adds. “But I do it my own way, in a way that’s mine.” Thematically, the material will reportedly resonate with anyone, who has put too much effort into the wrong situation and wrong people of their lives.
Rêverie‘s latest single, the breathtakingly gorgeous “You” is a mischievously anachronistic jam that seamlessly meshes 60s and 70s Motown soul and classic doo top paired with Martens’ plaintive and yearning delivery and a penchant for remarkably catchy hooks. But at its core, “You” is a joyous sigh of relief, with the tacit understanding that things are finally — and I mean finally! — over, and you might have an opportunity to move forward.
Rêverie is slated for an August 11, 2023 release through Big Crown. Be on the lookout, y’all.
Morten Martens is the man behind the band. Born, raised, and working in Kristiansand, Norway, he keeps a low profile while making his heartfelt, highly infectious, and unique music. Debut album Rêverie is a long time coming for Martens and it is sure to make him a name to be reckoned with.
The first thing you notice listening to Les Imprimés is the high level of musicianship. Martens plays nearly every instrument on the recordings and handles the production and arranging. He has been making records for decades, winning a Spellemann Award (aka, the Norwegian Grammy) in 2006 for producing a hip hop album as well as getting nominations across three other genres. While awards and accolades speak to the level of his talent, this new album really shows who he is as an artist on his own terms.
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From these late night sessions, Les Imprimés was born and Rêverie began to take shape.However, “it wasn’t until COVID, when things locked down, that I was really able to find the time to focus on Les Imprimés” Morten says about creating and leading his own solo project. “It was a scary time. But I knew I had to do something with it.” He took the sum of his influences, combined them with his own vibe and got busy writing the music, playing the instruments, and singing the songs. “It’s soul music, but I don’t exactly have the soul voice,” Morten explains humbly. “But I do it my own way, in a way that’s mine.” It is his sound, his fingerprint, his sensibility, that makes his music hard to categorize. He has crafted an album of songs with different energies that all fit together to make one gorgeous record. The lead single “Falling Away” starts with a raw drum break and turns into a lushly arranged tune that paints the picture of love when it slips away. Songs like “You” and “Our Love” mix tones from 60s and 70s Soul with arrangement nods to doo wop records while Martens’ lyrics and delivery leave you singing the melodies long after they finish. “Love & Flowers” finds Martens in a moment of clarity with a song that fits the niche sub genre of happy break up tunes, the four on the floor track will move the dancefloor while the message will resonate with anyone who put too much effort into the wrong situation in their lives.
However, it is songs like “Muse” and “Chess” that really encapsulate the uniqueness of Les Imprimés as they push the boundaries of genre, one a profession of love for music and the other a cover of an electronic record respectively. Martens’ lyrics, emotion, and delivery truly make the whole thing come together and stand out from any of his peers. There’s an infectiousness and a pop sensibility in the writing that is done with the utmost class and taste giving Les Imprimés the rare quality of immediate attraction that only deepens the more you listen.