Skatebård

Bergen, Norway, offers little shelter from the Northeast winters in the United States; its cold and rainy climate probably soaks wee folkster native Sondre Lerche down to his skivvies. But Norway's Baard Ldemel, a.k.a. Skatebård, allows none of the grim daily weather outlook to filter into his melodic electronica on Midnight Magic. Armed with warm trance spreads that slowly work their way into both midtempo breakbeats and techy house, Skatebård is always evolving from his subtle, melancholy liftoffs. "Data Italia" is one of the more sleek constructions here; it looks back at late-Eighties grade-school mixers with enchanting Cure Disintegration-like synths and an understated dance-floor pulse. Sure, with persistent, hacking swishes and a moody keyboard loop, closer "Never Forget Who You Are" gets pretty cold, but it's not like, Norway-cold. — Dominic Umile