Check out this song that encapsulates the endless daylight of Nordic summers through its hypnotic beats and whimsical portrayal of Norway's capital.
“Oslo in the Summertime” by Of Montreal captures the essence of a distinct, almost surreal summer experience in Norway's capital city
Featured on their 2005 album, The Sunlandic Twins, this track stands out with its blend of quirky electronic elements and a minimalist lyrical approach.
Introducing Of Montreal
Of Montreal, part of the Elephant 6 collective, is known for its evolving musical style, influenced by 1960s psychedelic pop, and its members' involvement in numerous side projects with other bands.
Of Montreal's ever-shifting musical landscape is the brainchild of Kevin Barnes, who founded the group in Athens, Georgia, in the late 1990s.
Over the years, the band has traversed through a myriad of genres, from indie pop and funk to electronica and glam rock, constantly reinventing their sound with each album release.
This eclectic mix is a hallmark of their identity, allowing them to maintain a fresh and unpredictable musical journey.
Their albums often feature a flamboyant, theatrical approach to both music and performance, with Barnes's introspective and often personal lyrics weaving through complex, layered compositions
Oslo in the Summertime
On this track, Barnes crafts an atmosphere that feels both foreign and intimate, utilizing a simple, repetitive melody to evoke the peculiar stillness of Oslo's summer, where the sun barely sets.
The song opens with an inviting, somewhat mechanical keyboard riff, accompanied by a steady, unobtrusive beat that pulses throughout the track. Barnes' vocals are laid back, almost spoken, adding to the track's dreamy, detached quality.
The lyrics are sparse and observational, describing the experience of wandering through Oslo, taking in the sights and sounds of a city alive under the perpetual daylight of Scandinavian summer.
The refrain, “Oslo in the summertime,” repeats like a mantra, capturing the mesmerizing, trance-like quality of the long days.
This track is a perfect representation of Of Montreal’s ability to fuse catchy melodies with experimental soundscapes, making “Oslo in the Summertime” a memorable piece that lingers in the mind like the endless Nordic days it describes.
Lyrics to Oslo in the Summertime
Oslo in the summertime, nobody can fall asleep
I'm staring out the window from my bed
At 4am the sun is up
Look, the sky is peppered with sea birds
And with crows all cackling
Up in tre ten Heimdalsgate
Me and Nina making fun of footballers
In Rudolph Neilson Plass
I practice my Norwegian on poor befuddled waitresses
Who shake their heads, completely at a loss
Oslo in the summertime, the streets are strangely quiet
Because everyone's away on holiday
Oslo in the summertime, Pakistani children play
Locked inside of the courtyard all day
Pretty people everywhere, sun lamp tans and flaxen hair
Just tell the American not to stare
