Lust for Youth sees Hannes Norrvide and Malthe Fischer taking some familiar strides, though to another place. The disaffected balearia is this time rendered into brighter pop compositions that bustle with intricate production. No longer galvanizing us with hooks, but with a songcraft unhindered by anxiety, the album presents a cohesion not seen in the project until now. Lyrically, the apprehension still hangs like tinsel. Often garish and celebratory, the droll mischief is this time more pointed, more personal, and far more self-aware

Norwegian synth pop group Lust for Youth's eponymous release is a decent attempt at calming, enjoyable and laidback tunes that feel perfectly crafted for a Sunday drive. The project does drop off in the second half, with mellow cuts like Imola not providing as much of interest as the opening few tracks.

New Balance Point, 04:45. Venus de Milo, 03:44.

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With their self-titled fifth album, Lust for Youth continue refining the bouncy yet poignant synth pop they introduced on International. Now down to the duo of Hannes Norrvide and Malthe Fischer, they lift some of the clouds that shadowed their previous album Compassion in favor of a brighter, smoother approach. As on their previous two albums, Norrvide and Fischer still imbue their well-worn '80s influences with more skill and personality than many of their like-minded contemporaries.

Lust For Youth’s last album, 2016‘s ‘Compassion’, was the culmination of years of evolution. Highlights ‘Venus De Milo’ and ‘Great Concerns’ are far more on-brand, the former as cool and cold as white marble, while the latter wraps frustration at human carelessness up in shiny synths and chiming guitars: Reject climate chang. hat will it take?, A flood over Europe?

The new Lust For Youth album is radically pop. When I interviewed Hannes a couple of years ago, he was talking about being a fan of the Pet Shop Boys, and I was like, OK, I can hear a little bit of that. But I think you are quite right: there has been a pretty limited emotional palette and to m. don’t need to be a white heterosexual man shouting any more. I think there are other things that are way more interesting. And of course if we look at this tradition, well, Genesis P-Orridge is a great example.

With Lust For Youth's latest album, the trio from Copenhagen have firmly positioned themselves at the top of the pile. Their sixth album Compassion is something of a departure from their previous work.