The Island -- Part One, the sparkling debut by Norwegian singer-songwriter Stian Fjelldal's new dream-folk project Birds Are Better has just been released to Spotify and all the major services.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ZYJwHf0cMQ2FTg9IMlpIZ?si=aQ9mlvn8Q2WnLJbKvDz9PA

Creative and eclectic, Birds are Better owes as much to classic groups like Crosby, Stills & Nash as it does to more modern fare like Fleet Foxes, The Flaming Lips and Susanne Sundfør.

The first of a pair of albums scheduled for release this year, Part One captures Fjelldal's emergence from a bout of writer's block that saw the veteran artist plagued by self-doubt and malaise. Highlight tracks include "Marigold", "Fencing You In" and the title track, “The Island”.

Watch the video for "Marigold" here
https://youtu.be/TWevyLHhViQ

After emerging onto to the scene with the radio hit "Håbløs", a record deal with Warner Music, and releasing such memorable gems as "Sammen i Mørket," "Æ vil heim," "I verdens rigeste land," "Bare min,, "Festen," and "Ville hesta," Fjelldal found himself in a creative rut. So he decided to free himself and go in a new direction with Birds Are Better. These days, Fjelldal is something of a major-label refugee who's staking his claim in independence and creative freedom with this album.

The Island -- Part One is clearly the work of a singer/songwriter reveling in his newfound sense of creative freedom and resurgence. The results are, by turns, gorgeous, breathtaking, melancholy and, ultimately, life-affirming.

(photo by Stian Fjelldal)