Argh (Glenn Main) - Night In the City (2014)

Night in the City is by Glenn Main’s project ‘ARGH’ so be warned – this is not his usual instrumental electronic music! It is very much in the ‘electronic synth pop’ style of A-ha and Depeche Mode. The 10 tracks are moderately paced and with great vocals and superb production – as you’d expect from Glenn.

Norway has really got a real boost recently when it comes to well-produced electronic pop music. The latest addition are Argh who now makes their album debut with “Night in the City” after four appetizing digital singles earlier this year.
The album welcomes us with a sparkling layer of analogue basslines, fancy choir-addons, nicely arranged melodies, synth strings and neat layers of details which delivers its sweetly scented retro, yet modern-influenced, synth pop.
It is offered fully serious about good soul deep in it’s melancholy character. The Norwegian duo borrows equal parts of their funding from their legendary compatriots A-ha as from Depeche Mode‘s original school of synthpop as they continue to kick new life into a never dying love theme that focuses on both ruptured and newfound hearts with a, for the genre, very strong vocal performance both on the lead- and backing vocals (by 18 year old Iselin Main Grønvold).
Most of the ten tracks are in moderately paced, but Argh do not hesitate to invite you to dance on several occations when they choose to pull up the tempo. The initial “We Ride”, the previous single release “Without Me”, the heavier “Absence”, the atmospheric title track “Night in the City” and the ending and very beautiful“Heaven’s Seas” gives great width.
“Night in the City” might not add much to the existing pile of synthpop but it’s clearly noted that this Norwegian duo possesses great knowledge in both the technical production as in their songwriting skills on an album containing several strong cards. Just like an album in this genre should contain.