Feb 203 min read

EINAR SOLBERG – ‘The Congregation Acoustic’ out now; video for ‘Red’ launched

EINAR SOLBERG – frontman of Norwegian rock mavericks Leprous – released his debut solo album ‘16’ last summer. But back at the beginning of 2022, he took on an entirely different solo endeavour. For a special live streamed performance, he reinterpreted the Leprous album ‘The Congregation’ in full, just piano and voice. Now that performance sees an official audio release as ‘The Congregation Acoustic’, out now.

To celebrate, a video for the track ‘Red’ has been launched, and you can watch it now here:

‘The Congregation Acoustic’ is available as a Ltd CD Digipak, Limited Gatefold 180g Black 2LP & as Digital Album. The cover artwork was shot by Elena Sihida. Order now here: https://einarsolberg-artist.lnk.to/TheCongregationAcoustic-Live

Watch the previously released videos here:

The Flood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WME8a5HK2Xk

Within My Fence: https://youtu.be/Zid14tuErdE

Einar comments of the release: “I'm both super excited but also kind of terrified for me to release this live version of "The Congregation". It's raw and unedited and exactly how I did it on my livestream. Usually all musicians these days (myself included) are used to fixIng stuff in post-production, but on this one we've done nothing! I think it's cool sometimes to dare to show a more fragile and less "perfect" side of yourself. "The Congregation" is probably the least suitable album we've ever done to make an acoustic version of, but I think it turned out surprisingly OK!"

Einar Solberg is as renowned for the tender honesty of his lyrics as he is for the eccentric majesty of Leprous’ music. But even by his usual standards, ‘16’ is an extremely emotional and dynamic piece of work. Einar describes the record as “the closest I’ve ever come to writing a concept album” and explains that the new songs are about a very specific and transformational period in the musician’s life. This is the sound of a restless spirit in his absolute element.

’16’ finds Einar collaborating with everyone from modern prog contemporaries like Bent Knee’s Ben Levin and Agent Fresco’s Toti Gudnason, to experimental cellist (and regular Leprous live musician) Raphael Weinroth-Browne and Magnus Børmark, best known as a member of Norwegian alt-folk troupe Gåte. He also once again collaborates with Ihsahn and Star Of Ash amongst many others. The record was mixed by mixed by Adam Noble (Placebo, Biffy Clyro, Nothing But Thieves) and mastered by Robin Schmidt (The 1975, Placebo, The Gaslight Anthem, etc.). The cover artwork was designed by Elena Sihida. ‘16’ is out on Ltd CD Digipak, Gatefold 180g 2LP + LP-booklet & Digitally. Order here: https://einarsolberg-artist.lnk.to/sixteen