THE NEW MAGIC – Bird’s Eye View

ZF2403LP | Vinyl LP | Release date: 15 March 2024
200 copies on molten lava super marble vinyl. Comes in full colour gatefold sleeve and black polylined inner bag.
ZF2403DL | Digital Album | Release date: 15 March 2024
Available via Bandcamp.

Side A:
1. Moving Sky (7:19)
2. Sink/Soar Forever (3:51)
3. Deep Blue Sea (4:37)
4. Soft Marble Dance (2:11)
5. Future Falling Over (3:49)

Side B:
1. Bird’s Eye View (15:37)
2. New Day (4:20)
3. The Elevator (2:48)

Per Kamfjord – vocals
Teodor Elstad – upright bass
Filip Zenon Ramberg – drums
Morten Smith Lien – tenor and soprano saxophones
Martin van Houtum – pianos, organs and synthesizers, electric & acoustic guitars, bass guitar, mandolin, lap steel guitar, ocarina (of time), percussion

Words and music by Martin van Houtum.
Produced and mixed by Martin van Houtum.

Recorded at Battle View Studio and various other places, 2021-2023.
Vocal sessions recorded, engineered and co-produced by Per Christian Berg at Audioskop.
Mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo at Dude Ranch Studio.

Illustrations by Karaska Design: “New Providence” on front cover and detail on side A label, “Presence” detail on side B label.
Graphics and layout by Yvonne Rystad.
Photography by Martin van Houtum & Yvonne Rystad.

Executive producer: Petter Flaten Eilertsen.
Label logo design by Tuva Fenstad Kleberg.

Thank you: Petter Flaten Eilertsen for listening, believing and making it happen. Per, Filip, Teodor & Morten for sounding spectacular. Per Christian Berg & Emil Kraugerud for wisdom and input. Den Kosmiske Overorden for repeatedly blowing my mind. Friends & family, to whom I owe everything. My beloved Yvonne, to whom I owe even more.

Manufactured by T-Time Vinyl Plant, Stavanger, Norway.

The New Magic is the music of Martin van Houtum, and whoever he invites along to play with him. Based in Oslo, Norway, the producer and multi-instrumentalist has been knee-deep in music throughout his entire life. You may have heard him in a number of different groups, past and present: Den Kosmiske Overorden, Zenon, Wind, The Abaia Magic – to mention a few. He has spent years exploring different instruments and sounds, eventually learning that the studio itself, and the art of song crafting, is his favorite instrument of them all.

The album “Bird’s Eye View” is the fulfillment of his creative vision. Initially conceived as a foray into ambient and minimalism, somewhere along the way it took some detours towards baroque pop, exotic island music and cosmic psychedelic explosions. Brian Eno meets Brian Wilson? Harpsichord meets breakbeats? Zelda meets FM synthesis? It’s all there!

Thematically, the lyrics broadly touch upon the passage of time, the natural world, and the many possible struggles of being conscious.

Featured here are the very special talents of Per Kamfjord (vocals), Filip Zenon Ramberg (drums), Teodor Elstad (upright bass) and Morten Smith Lien (tenor and soprano saxophones). Leaving the remaining instruments to Martin, the end result is a record unlike any other – a truly special statement, and a must-have for any serious music lover.

FFO: Dungen, Brian Eno, Ghosts Of Jupiter, Terry Riley, Brian & Dennis Wilson.

REVIEWS
Unis Son: “Bird’s Eye View by The New Magic is, for me, an unexpected contemplative coup de cœur (sudden favourite). Don’t wait any longer to discover it.”
unis-son.com/2024/02/24/flash-birds-eye-view-the-new-magic-en/

The Pentatonic: “The New Magic, spearheaded by the visionary Martin van Houtum, unveil their debut album ‘Bird’s Eye View‘, a mesmerizing collection of tracks that defy genre boundaries and invite listeners into a realm of sonic exploration. ‘Bird’s Eye View‘ is a testament to the boundless creativity of its creator and collaborators.”
www.thepentatonic.co.uk/album-review-the-new-magic-birds-eye-view/

York Calling: “Bird’s Eye View is an album for life’s slower moments when one wants to escape the rush of modern life. There’s enough texture and experimentation in it that it always keeps you intellectually stimulated, so be prepared to be hooked on its every movement.”
yorkcalling.co.uk/2024/02/23/album-review-the-new-magic-birds-eye-view/

Surviving the Golden Age: “Many of the tracks have these bonus “jazzy” endings. After the meat of Sink/Soar Forever, the last minute plus of the song sounds like spa music that maybe pumped into a room with essential oils while you await your masseuse.”
survivingthegoldenage.com/new-magic-birds-eye-view/