Ole Kirkeng is finally ready to drop his highly anticipated debut album. On Still Not Lost (due out September 8th on Die With Your Boots On Records), the listener is treated to an artist bursting with talent and creativity. The young singer-songwriter impressed on the 2021 EP Rocking Chair – a release that landed him a deserved Spellemann award (the Norwegian “Grammy”) on his first try.
So, this time around, the expectations are high. Not only for the songs that make up Kirkeng’s first album, but also for the artist he is becoming. Looking back at the searching musician who arrived back in Norway after years abroad, we now see an entirely different artist unfolding. The confidence he exudes on stage, the wittiness and wordings of his lyrics, and – last but definitely not least – the songs! If he isn’t already a star, he is fast becoming one.
Still Not Lost was recorded and produced along with Norwegian guitar legend and studio wizard Geir Sundstøl, and the result is just top class craftsmanship in all areas. Ole Kirkeng is a songwriter of the old school, who can stand comparisons to names such as Nick Lowe, Randy Newman, Jackson Brown and Father John Misty.
He puts a lot of time and effort into the songwriting trade, and that’s obvious when listening to this collection of tunes.
Today Glide is excited to premiere the immediately catchy “Stupid Questions,” a pedal steel-laden work of quietly enchanting folk-rock that feels light and heartfelt. For fans of later-era Wilco as well as 1970s cosmic country sounds, this tune is sure to resonate. The playful lyrics are simple yet vivid, instantly connecting with the listener as Kirkeng reflects on something we all do: overthinking. His voice floats gently over a soundtrack that is a fine work of breezy instrumentation that straddles the line between folk, indie rock, and country.
Ole Kirkeng describes the inspiration behind the song:
This songs reflects on overthinking. When you start driving down the wrong highway of your mind. It’s about exploring those silly conversations we all have with ourselves when doing so. You know that everything is perfectly fine, but there’s a voice, a feeling, asking these stupid questions.
For instance in this song – the character is wondering if his partner is out and about one night living like it’s Woodstock 1969, and he’s at home drinking decaffeinated coffee. When really, the partner is thinking about him just as much.
LISTEN:
