Norwegian-American indie-rock trio Savoy recently released their single, “Coming Down,” a track from their upcoming album, Under, slated to drop February 2 via Eleventeen Records.
Made up of Paul Waaktaar-Savoy (vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards), who is also one-third of Norway’s a-ha, his wife Lauren (vocals, guitar), and Frode Unneland (drums, vocals), Savoy formed in 1994, followed by releasing their debut album, Mary Is Coming, in 1996 on the Warner Brothers label.
Under is the band’s first new album since 2018’s See The Beauty In Your Drab Hometown.
Explaining why Savoy has now returned, Paul says “a-ha took a long time to tour, which was delayed three or four times by the pandemic. All that time I wrote a lot and was looking for a place for the songs. I’m always asked if I save songs for one or the other. It’s always the best material I have which goes into a project.”
Talking about the album, Unneland says, “There is a focus on the vocals and the songs which is new for Savoy. Recording ‘Under’ felt very easy, it was a fun time. There is the old melancholy of the Savoy sound, but it is so beautiful and energetic. I’m very proud of being a part of it.”
Photo: Jason Brandenberg
While Lauren shares, “So much of Savoy is inspired by where we are. Being in California, there are songs about here but, still, this is Savoy. The melodies are interesting, unpredictable, a joy to listen to. It was fun making ‘Under,’ we were more open than ever to following where the songs took us.”
“Coming Down” rolls out on a low-slung, strumming guitar topped by soft, almost melancholic vocals. As the rhythm gathers potency, the melody assumes an alluring flow, highlighted by a sparkling piano and layered instrumentation. It’s the vocals though, along with the beautifully glowing harmonies, that imbue the song with a feeling of exquisite loneliness.
Paul, who rarely explains Savoy’s lyrics, reveals, “It reflects looking back from a later stage at what we all went through in the pandemic.”
The lyrics depict the imminent sensation of isolation: “No one’s around / Soon dark / My steps make no sound.”
With “Coming Down,” Savoy demonstrates how indie-rock is done – polished production and superb vocals atop a completely stylish arrangement.
