Lights

Last Christmas, Darling West performed a stunning holiday special on Norwegian national television. The next logical step was obviously to record their first ever Christmas album. Consisting of a selection of the songs the band played for the TV special, the album is now ready, complete with a brand new original song, which has also named the album: Lights.

On Lights Darling West are Mari Sandvær Kreken, Tor Egil Kreken, Christer Gracia Slaaen and Thomas Gallatin, as per usual, with the lineup rounded out by Kjetil Steensnær on steel guitar, Torjus Vierli on keys and Kristoffer Lo on horns. They also found room for some notable guests. Sivert Høyem features on “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, Jarle Bernhoft on “Christmas Must Be Tonight”, and up-and-coming talent Live Hanken joins in on “Song for a Winter’s Night”.

Compiling the band’s favorite Christmas songs across two languages, Lights includes “Walking in the Air” and the aforementioned “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” along with Norwegian standards “Kling no klokka” and “Folkefrelsar”, two mention a few. All of them wrapped in the characteristic and delightful Darling West sound. Especially “Folkefrelsar” will excite the listener, blending Norwegian folk tones, with desert blues, resulting in an original take on a Christmas song.

Of their first ever original Christmas song, lead singer Mari Sandvær Kreken says:

“Having worked on so many beautiful Christmas classics for the TV special, it felt like a terrifying prospect to write our own Christmas tune. But when we really got going, it was also very rewarding to contribute to the lovely tradition that is holiday music. The feeling of “home” is very abstract and can represent so much. It can be a room, a house, a person, a smell, the warmth from the cat in your lap, or a special group of people. It’s something we all long for, a place to feel unconditionally welcome, where you can be yourself completely.”

Lights will be released on Jansen Records on November 15