Danish trio Mont Oliver have released their debut EP ‘19’. A four track EP that is available to download for free from Soundcloud.
Mont Oliver are a group with a lot of potential, ‘19’ is a EP that smashes sounds, genres and beats together and gets them to stick perfectly. Hip-hop beats, trip-hop synth, indie vibes and lead singer Jacob Hammershøj’s distinctive, amazing vocals. This EP displays a band of musicians who can each bring something fresh, unique and talented to the table but more importantly can get all the sounds to work and support each other.
The debut EP includes four tracks: “19”, “White Sheets”, “Golden Glow” and “Nobody Knows”. All are standalone songs that are separate in vibe, emotion and sound but all are obviously Mont Oliver tracks. That is probably the most rousing element about this band, the range and breadth of their potential musical creations is huge.
First track ‘19’ starts with the lyrics “This Is where you want to be”, and you very quickly realize that this music is exactly where you would like to be. The song begins with a slow, old scool hip-hop beat which is soon combined with some deep piano keys and Jacob Hammershøj’s crispy clear vocals. This sets the tone for the rest of the EP, as it shows that this music is not going to be here nor there but each song is going to be a bit of everything. ‘19’ combines some of the best elements of trip-hop and indie music while having that awesome hip-hop beat keeping everything in shape. The dark distorted synth adds a little more of an aggressive, smoky undertone, however this is lost in the euphoria of the high, sparkling chorus which breaks away from the songs hip-hop foundation and rises into a loud trip-hop sounds which resemble sounds created by trip-hop artist Rustie. ‘19’ also introduces us to Jacob’s amazing falsetto voice which is a standout element throughout the EP. His voice is often one of the clashing instruments that make the Mont Oliver sound so unique.
‘19’ is followed by the track ‘White Sheets’ which was released earlier this month. It’s combination of hip-hop vibes 
encompassed in electro-pop sounds makes for a catchy and well-rounded tune. You can’t help but bob along to the rhythm while the chorus is sang in a beat spaced staccato style. Some more exquisite vocals are song in sharp contrast to the murky chorus voice, but despite the contrast it never interrupts the tracks flow. White Sheets is an addictive song as the layered sounds along with the Staccato chorus will probably remain stuck in your head by the end of the EP.
‘Nobody Knows’ Is the first song that does not start with hip hop beat that is swallowed in electro – pop sounds, ‘Nobody Knows’ starts with some soft house pulses that are soon surrounded by an urban beat. There are many, many influences that you hear Mont Oliver grasp and mould, this is perhaps the most unique of the four track EP with maybe some The Beloved-esk noise early on. ‘Nobody Knows’ is just a cool chill out track, drifting away from the indie exterior and into a soft house, pop scene that is all their own. Just when you think ‘nobody knows’ has exploited its chill out pop vibe the song goes into a long, harmonizing verse assisted by some beautiful piano sounds carting the song to its conclusion.
Just when you are nice and relaxed after ‘Nobody Knows’ ‘Golden Glow’ arrives on the scene with its dirty phonic,
atmospheric strings which are quickly accompanied by high pitch squeezing Theremin like sound. This grimy combination is somewhat soothed by Jacob’s silky vocals but even when the pitch rises the aggressive tone remains. There is something unique about the atmosphere about all the songs on this EP and Golden Glow definitely has the most intense, it sounds like the sound track to a film fight scene.
Mont Oliver are currently out on a 22 date tour of their native country Denmark. They have plans to come visit the UK in early 2015 at a number of venues. Until then ’19’ is available for free download on the band’s Soundcloud after being released by Danish label Fake Diamond Records.
J Arthur Garrett 