Norwegian queer-country assertively and affectionately delivering.
Embla Karidotter was the drummer for Norwegian indie band Razika for 13 years, before she chose to change direction and build on her love of country music with new band Embla and the Karidotters. The Fool is their third album and is described as “Norway’s first queer country album”.
It follows on from 2024’s Off Leash, which, as the name suggests, involved a freeing from past shackles. The band has moved on some for The Fool. The Karidotters are Marie Moe (bass), Benjamin Rø Haavelsrud (guitar) and Nils Jørgen Nilsen (drums). The Fool was produced by Simen Følstad Nilsen, who also adds guitar and pedal steel.
The overall sense of the record is of an artist and a band taking different styles of music falling broadly within the boundaries of Americana. There is a distinct playful edge to The Fool, as well as Karidotter, who messes with forms and norms in country–Americana.
They emerge right off the blocks with Wanna Ride? which, after a raucous fiddle intro from Gerd Norgaard, is framed in a great indie-rock riff reminiscent of LA sister band Bleached. Karidotter turns bro-country on its head (sis-country?) in a song chock full of sex positivity, albeit with a line, “I’ll show you what consent means”, that would be problematic if sung by a man. Nergaard stays on board for Wake Up and Smell the Coffee with its bouncy riff and a lyric that mocks the self-conscious sobriety for which this strand of music is renowned: “I play in a country band, of course I’m on the wagon/ I can write my sober songs firsthand although I’m not bragging” raised a smile.
After that, Your Own Moon, an emotional break-up song, comes as a bit of a surprise. In parts bitter, in parts affectionate, there is also a self-referential nod to writing a break-up song. It builds to quite a dramatic climax before closing on a quiet reflective note. Love is also at the centre of Imogen, an out-and-out love song where Karidotter’s heart is firmly on her sleeve. Very catchy, you can imagine this song playing on the radio. Karidotter struts straight into Cuntry, with a half-sung, half-spoken verse about finding company on the road. Another song long on sex-positivity, the lust oozes from practically every line. The pedal steel and fiddle take off on side-by-side solos in the break before she rolls back in for an extended chorus outro.
Rhinestoned Cowgirl is an out-and-out country song with fiddle and pedal steel that could have come straight from Music Row. Karidotter sings of seeking a slower country life away from the city. She touches on a number of country clichés- guns, horses- which mean nothing to her as she ribs herself for her country style: “I’m just a rhinestoned cowgirl, don’t like the rodeo / And I’m all hat, no cattle and these boots are just for show”. The penultimate song, Closet Drama, is a touching song dealing with a breakup, with regret and, to a degree, envy. Karidotter initiates the breakup but then addresses her feelings as her ex moves on. There are some interesting perspectives on breaking up in the 21st century too.
Another Honky Tonk Song brings The Fool to a close, with a real old-time feel to the music and continues the theme of playing with form, even including a dance call break. The mood is upbeat but in a resilient way. The Fool is a really enjoyable record which displays a love of country-Americana which some might not appreciate given the elements of pastiche. It is also very positively queer country in a very affirmative and matter-of-fact way. At just 29 minutes, it might be a bit light to pay out for the physical version, but it’s also available as a download via Bandcamp.
