Jorunn Hodne is a performing singer and songwriter from Norway. A former journalist who has found her comfort zone and success in the entertainment world, Jorunn has released 3 albums – the first “Trespassing” in 2010, her second “Move On” in 2012, and her third, “On A Day Like This”, which was recorded in Nashville and officially launched on August the 18th 2017. Jorunn is also noted for her self-produced videos which she promptly shoots and edits using her mobile phone. One of the videos has been filmed in Cuba, another one is produced solely by Snapchat clips. Her latest music video, of the album’s title cut, “On A Day Like This”, was filmed on the spectacular ‘Preikestolen’ (Preacher’s Pulpit) in Norway. Forty line dancers climbed the 604 meter high mountain-cliff to dance to the track.
Jorunn Hodne continues expanding on the new chapter of her career, with the launch of her new album. It’s another bold and courageous step for Hodne, but all the artistic freedom and decision making would be all for nothing, if musically, this album didn’t deliver the goods. Thankfully, she doesn’t have to worry about that. With “On A Day Like This” Jorunn has put together an album that could be easily interspersed with her best work, as the lyrical content and performances are on par with anything she has ever done before.
One of the best parts about this record is that it simply sounds good. Working with mixing engineer David Buchanon, and under the direction of Larry Beaird, at the Beaird Music Group, this album is a sonic treat. There are some nice grooves all over the record, ranging from traditional Nashville Country to a modern, Country Pop feel.
The lead single, and title track, “On A Day Like This”, serves as a nice introduction to the joyous and uplifting performances, Jorunn Hodne is capable of. The song just has a way of rolling effectively from one line to the next, drawing the listener in. Also in this vein are the edgy and brimming “Car Crash” as well as the catchy and bouncy, yet somewhat melancholy vibe of “I Wanna Sing Along”.
There’s also the traditional feel of the mid-tempo “Come With Me” which is an absolute album highlight, as Hodne’s voice resonates with crystal clear power and precision. Of course it wouldn’t be a made-in-Nashville album without a jaw-dropping ballad, and the Norwegian singer definitely delivers in this regard. “When I Say Nothing”, is Hodne at perhaps her heartfelt best, complete with a vocal so surefooted and dynamic that it will rip your heart out.
“I’m Gonna Leave You For A Texan” is the singer at her most playfully tortured, knowing that she is likely going to give in to temptation whenever she gets around that person that “understands a woman”. And then, there’s “Nashville”, a song that Jorunn co-wrote with Eivind Hodne, inspired by her experiences and aspirations in the city of Country music.
It’s a beautiful, inspiring narrative – and one that she pulls off convincingly. The album closer, “No Way I Can Win” also co-written by Jorunn – like quite a few other songs on the album – is an edgier, butt-kicking rocker with over-driven guitars and banging drums, to back up yet another powerhouse vocal display by the lady in question.
All in all, “On A Day Like This” feels like a huge statement from a singer-songwriter who is ready to take things to a whole new level – completely on her terms. Though, in the end, radio and all the other media measuring sticks, will be the judge of how commercially successful she is with that goal, from an artistic standpoint, this album more than makes that mark!
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