Nelson Can - 'Move Forward'

Photo credit Bobby Mandrup

Bass driven laid-back cool comes courtesy of Danish trio Nelson Can in ‘Move Forward’.

It’s hard to decide one particular thing about Nelson Can which is coolest. Firstly, there’s no electric guitar, just bass. But don’t assume ‘Move Forward’ is a Royal Blood rip-off. SigneSigne’s first riff is drenched in delay. It’s a little dreamy, but hints at the intensity to come in the song, helped by the short machine gun blasts of snare. In the verse it’s taken aback, no need for SignSigne to over-do it. Just play that silky cool groove!

Maria Juntunen’s drumming is a great example of when ‘simple yet effective’ works terrifically. She seems to come from the same approach of playing as Meg White, but with a bit more technical proficiency. She compliments the bass perfectly, making the music groove and powerful when it’s needed. Selina Gin has a big set of lungs on her. In the verse she is restrained, singing softly and beautifully. But when the chorus comes in demanding we ‘move forward’, Gin’s Siouxsie Sioux-esque banshee screams are unleashed.

Nelson Can are refreshing. The band tip their hats to Siouxsie and the Banshees and Yeah Yeah Yeahs, played with a blues cool (intentionally or not) and ‘Move Forward’ proves that they are a bit different to their contemporaries. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a Danish band before Nelson Can, but if the country puts out more artists like these, I’m all ears.

Words of Matthew Brocklehurst