Magnet
The Simple Life

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The Simple Life is the third official full-length album from Magnet since his critical debut in 2003 with On Your Side and follow up; The Tourniquet (2005). His three debut EP’s Where Happiness Lives, Chasing Dreams and The Day We Left Town (2003) for Ultimate Dilemma created a storm amongst the tastemakers of the world, i-D proclaimed him for his “extraordinary songs,” Dazed & Confused were wowed by his “beautiful pop melodies which ebb and flow over slide guitar”, Rolling Stone, NME and Q all swooned over his unique charms. His debut album and follow up The Tourniquet further confirmed what we had suspected all along about Johansen, that his songwriting was not only rich and unique, but that he had the ability to tap into the human vein; of life, love and loss...picking up rave reviews along the way, yet more appreciation in the world of dance, becoming a major star in his native Norway, soundtracking teen angst on the O.C, weird adult angst on Six Feet Under (and in-fact many other TV shows/films) and having the sleeperhit of the year  with his cover of Dylan’s seminal ‘Lay Lady Lay’, a duet with Irish songstress Gemma Hayes (Itself ending up soundtracking the Hollywood smash hit Mr & Mrs Smith). He is definitely back after the worldwide critical success of his two former albums.

Magnets music simultaneously follows in the footsteps of traditional folkdom and modern surrealism, treading a neat path between the two. Johansen draws upon a vast array of influences, from the dusty warmth of Gram Parsons to the ethereal electronica of Air, tenderly etching out the mark that is his own unique sound. NME has likened Magnet to artists Tim Buckley and Coldplay, and others have placed him in the ranks of such names as Johnny Cash, Elliott Smith, Beck, and Radiohead. Indeed, these comparisons have not been made in vain.

Living just outside of in his hometown Bergen, a town he shares with fellow musicians such as Röyksopp, Annie and Sondre Lerche, he recorded The Simple Life in his own studio; a converted barn, and although much of the electronic elements and the studio wizardry are gone, the album still has that unique Magnet sound. This time Johansen has chosen to do most of his recordings alone, at home on the frequently rain struck west coast of Norway. He’s been helped by some wind and string instruments, and porous and airy Led Zeppelin- drums by Iver Sandøy on the song ”Navigator”. Otherwise he is his own master on this album. The home made mark creates its own natural consequences for the musical expression as well.  As Johansen puts it –“It’s fascinating to be a master, with two kids, goats and a farm, and try to be a musician at the same time. Lyrically it’s made me sing more about ”closely related things”. After the success with On Your Side I bought myself a house, and invested in my own studio. That was well spent money, better than to use it up on champagne and a high flying lifestyle.
Even Johansen has had a great career so far, with several bands and projects. But it’s as Magnet he has won the hearts of fans around the world. His records are released and sold at a steady stream in Japan, Australia, Europe and the USA

TRACKLISTING:

1. The Gospel Song
2. You Got Me
3. Lonely No More
4. Count
5. She's Gone
6. A Little Happier
7. Navigator
8. The Simple Life
9. Slice Of Heaven
10. Volatile
11. Lucid