Nanna Øland Fabricius, better known by her stage name Oh Land, has dropped the details of her new album Earth Sick alongside the release of leading single “Head up High.” The singer, songwriter and producer has been busy working away at her new album in her Brooklyn apartment, and the move sees her return full-circle to her bedroom production style which she has shied away from in recent years. Earth Sick follows up last year’s Wish Bone and 2011’s Oh Land, both records that received generous amounts of critical acclaim. “Head up High” cements Oh Land’s place as a consistent and talented songwriter and producer.
“Head up High,” was a song that was written for a friend who was going through a rough patch romantically. The song was written as a literal reminder for the friend to keep her head up high and to encourage her through the rough period. The single was forgotten by Oh Land during the making of Earth Sick but she was reminded of the song’s existence by her friend, which sprung Oh Land into hastily finishing the track and adding it to her album.
Lush synths, hook-laden vocals and bouncing rhythms are carried out throughout the song which creates a track that embodies jubilant support and the celebration of hard times. The catchy tune is a taste of Oh Land’s soon to be released album, which was inspired by her struggle to hold on to “a sense of idealism despite the complexities of life.”
The song and Oh Land’s production are similar to her previous releases, but you can hear the conscious effort she is making to get back to her roots of independent production and songwriting. Oh land has not yet confidently cracked the US market or Billboard charts, despite being based in Brooklyn, and supporting Katy Perry and Sia on their respective American tours. Hopefully her back-to-basics approach and matured pop prowess will see her gaining respect outside of her native Denmark.
By returning to her bedroom-style production, Oh Land states she has “returned to her roots.” By using Pledge Music to fund the album, she gained plenty of support from her friends and fans. The track list for Earth Sick includes: 1. “Machine,” 2. “Favor Friends,” 3. “Head Up High,” 4. “Earth Sick,” 5. “Nothing is Over,” 6. “Doubt My Legs,” 7. “Half Hero,” 8. “Daylight,” 9. “Hot ‘n Bothered,” 10. “Little Things,” 11. “Flags,” 12. “No Particular Order,” 13. “Trailblazer.” Earth Sick will be released independently on Oh Land’s own record label Tooth or Tusk on November 11th. You can visit her Pledge site to preorder the album where some of the money raised will go towards the Greenpeace “Save the Arctic” mission. “Head up High” is available to download now and you can catch Oh Land at The Bowery Ballroom on October 21st.