HILMA NIKOLAISEN - Social Works

«Never waste a good crisis» is a political saying meaning that even the darkest situations cna lead to something important if handled in a constructive way. This is the sole premise of 'Social Works'. After a series of troubling experiences Hilma Nikolaisen have been going through som existencial thinking the last year. This energy if manifested constructively in the eight tracks on her album from 2024 - named one of the best rock albums from Norwegian music press that year. It should be unneccessary to introduce Hilma based on her background from bands such as Umbrella and Serena-Maneesh (4AD) and her presence in Loch Ness Mouse and with legend Anne Grete Preus at this point, but we’ll leave it in for context. 'Social Works' is Hilma’s fourth album, following up the critically acclaimed 'Puzzler' (2016), 'Mjusic' (2018) and 'Heritage' (2021) - all drawn in very different directions but still undeniably all very 'hilmaesque'. There is something about her sound that leaves no doubt about who we’re listening to, be it chanting rock or tropicalia inspired alternative pop. With her previous acoustic album 'Heritage' Nikolaisen was all about transparence. The material was naked and voulnerable. This release is almost the opposite: 'Social Works' is acting out where 'Heritage' was more gentle; synthetic instead of organic; free, rude and fearless instead of careful; and the acoustic instruments are replaced by electric guitars, synths and an insisting drum machine driven pulse. Some of the tracks are almost protopunk with their repetative phrases nodding towards sources as Neu or Suicide, while others have structures and choruses sending our thoughts to the catchy and revitalizing rock that came out of New York around the beginning of the millennium. The process around 'Social Works' have been a sort of neccessary liberation, daring to make choices without worrying about being boxed. Hilma has invested in giving her time for trial and error in the studio. Still the album has a distinct and coherent style. As usual Hilma has done the most part herself. But as the title hints at, the social aspect in an outgoing and colorful expression with different partners involced in the studio and through the mixing process. The lyrics are direct and concise, spinning around crisis and life choices. Following up on themes from previous releases, exemplified here by 'Today (Satan)', an honest and raw sequel to 'Maybe Today (Satan)' - the soft and patient opener on 'Heritage'. In Hilma’s own words: 'OK, I’ve passed 40 now. Can I continue to defend these inscrutable musica ways, or do I have to cut my hair and get a job based on my diploma in social works laying in the bottom of my drawer?' Instead she chose a more free approach to her education. Social works can be done in many ways. With age comes insight, mainly in yourself. And just here lies the strength in 'Social Works': To stand up for yourself, daring to say no - and therefor also daring to say yes. Daring to live life and music.

Vinyl release of Hilma Nikolaisen - Social Works. Released through SHEEP CHASE RECORDS and available on LP.