The 12 nominees for the Best Nordic Album for 2011 has just been announced:
Ane Brun "It All Starts With One"
Lykke Li "Wounded Rhymes"
Rubik "Solar"
Gus Gus"Arabian Horse"
Malk De Koijn"Toback To The Fromtime"
Siinai "Olympic Game"
Björk "Biophilia"
Iceage "New Brigade"
Montée"Renditions Of You"
Anna Järvinen"Anna Själv Tredje"
Goran Kajfes"X/Y"
The Field "Looping state of mind"
The jury think it will be a hard decision to find the winner:
“The jury agrees that it has been a very strong year for Nordic music, even stronger than 2010. The Nordic countries definitely have something in common, and the Nordic music territory is one of the strongest in Europe now, only England can compete. And that is something to be proud of.
The output from each country was very even in terms of quality, with a big healthy variety of genres from leftfield punk to avant garde jazz, and also artists from several generations. Established acts and debut artists competing on the same level.
And a very strong year for female artists as well, with Lykke Li, Björk, Ane Brun and Anna Järvinen.”
mtok's guess is that Björk will win the prize of 20 000€. Not so much because of the music on the album "Biophilia", but with the concept (applications, new instruments and interactive learning) of it. Said that, I secretly (not so much secret any more, is it?) that Icelandic GusGus will win with their 8th studio album "Arabian Horse".
The winner will be presented during by:Larm in Oslo, Thursday February the 16th.
gusgus "arabian horse" (live on kexp)
from the ault