Koke Plate
Suddenly My Mind Is Blank sees the return of Jouska, now representing a solo vehicle for Norweigan songwriter and producer Marit Othilie Thorvik. The result is a more intimate affair, as Thorvik’s unique breathy vocal style takes centre stage.
It’s Jouska’s second album, the follow-up to 2020’s Everything is Good, which was crafted alongside previous member Hans Olav Settem. The split was presumably amicable, as Settem helped produce and mix the album, but the split has resulted in something of a sonic dive, a move towards intimacy and introspection. Everything Is Good provided us with vibrant bedroom pop, woozy and dreamy, laden with hooks and driven by an almost anxious energy. The record also displayed Thorvik’s vulnerable side, with a fragility underneath the sunny sound. Suddenly My Mind Is Blank sees Thorvik submit to her vulnerabilities even further, taking us from the dancefloor to inside her head.
The opening track, ‘Jouska’, introduces us to the new, more atmospheric sound. Beats bounce and crackle uneasily while the synths curl back into themselves, Thorvik’s voice a far-off, intelligible whisper. It has a pastoral feel, a recurring theme across the album. ‘Death Sentence’ has a light, airy sound that belies the lyrics’ themes as Thorvik unravels a toxic relationship, singing in the chorus, “You’ll be my death sentence”. Thorvik’s delivery enhances the song, her voice almost devoid of life as she accepts her fate. ‘Unexpected Turmoil’ is filled with this claustrophobic tension, distorted beats buzzing around Thorvik’s voice. ‘Why’d You Leave Me the Red?’ is the closest to Everything Is Good in terms of sound, with its catchy hooks and energetic bassline. Thorvik’s voice sounds painfully mournful, almost desolate, as she casually repeats the mantra, “Everything falls into place when it breaks”.
‘My Sagittarius Dream’ is a humorous, indulgent spoken word self-help parody, the highlight being the line “How do you feel about the selfless three pack of giving, loving, and shameless narcissism”. ‘Damon Days’ sees Throvik trying to escape herself, singing “Lifestyle, DIY/I’m sick of all these things I like” before later admitting, “Being myself is heavy”. Her voice is largely monochromatic, creating the sense of someone who has had all the joy pounded out of her. ‘Fragrance’ moves back into indie-pop territory with its bright, warm sound, Thorvik’s voice shifting from feather-light to angelic on the chorus. Thorvik impressively channels her emotions through her voice, and you can hear her weariness when she sings, “This world is exhausting”. ‘Obstacles’ is purely instrumental, but the intricate layers provide emotional depth; the percussive rattles create a sense of unease, while the rising keys offer brief moments of ethereal transcendence before this harsh, mechanical static brings us back down.
‘And It’s All In My Head’ pulls us back into the warmth, the synths wrapping themselves around you while Thorvik’s voice is like a glacial wind. The track sees Throvik explore her own insecurities and vulnerabilities, but there’s a humorous edge (“There’s fifty people in me/My Sagittarius dream”). She also demonstrates how happiness can be fickle and fleeting, singing “My face got seventy likes”, recognising how brief gratification doesn’t provide happiness. ‘Blue Like the Sun’ floats between intense and atmospheric, like the sunshine is trying to break through but can’t. Thorvik brings some real attack; “You left me defeated/I’m all out of lust”, aided by this throbbing, vibrating bass line. ‘When I Leave’ begins with these desolate strings, Thorvik’s haunted whispers reverberating in the background. The track sees Thorvik semi-rapping, “Want it now/Want it right/Want it light/Want it Soon”, delivering these short, emphatic mantras.
Suddenly My Mind Is Blank is far more subdued than its predecessor but carries a greater emotional weight as Thorvik takes us inside her head. It’s intimate but not overwhelming; the atmosphere occasionally shrouds Thorvik’s confessions. Thorvik’s voice is the album’s highlight, able to weave through the record’s layers with graceful ease. The diaristic style of the album is enhanced by the emotional tone Thorvik provides it with, creating a constantly engaging listen.