CD: Razika – Program 91

Although sadness currently cloaks Norway, the release of Razika’s joyful debut album might raise a few spirits. From Bergen, this all-female four-piece are school friends jointly born in 1991, hence part of the album title. Program 91 is a ska-inflected romp that would’ve been a snug fit for Rough Trade in the early Eighties. Razika weren’t even born then.

The other half of the album’s title is inspired by fellow Bergen band Program 81, a ska-inflected new wave outfit formed in 1981. Razika – coined as band-speak for a cute boy - clearly aren’t shy about revealing their inspirations, with hints of The Slits, Raincoats and Marine Girls. The Higsons and Housemartins too. “Happy Birthday” and “I Could be Happy” Altered Images bubble through the bouncy drums and twinkly guitar of “Above All”. There’s a bit of Arctic Monkeys’s herk-jerk in here as well.

Program 91 is prevented from being an irritating piece of time-warped slavishness or a template-obsessed photocopy by both their sheer pep and the quality of the super-catchy songs. The album’s 34 minutes zip by. Singing in both Norwegian and English, it’s impossible not to smile at the shuffling la-la-la-infused “Taste my Dream”. Despite the language barrier, “Aldri” telegraphs yearning. “Nytt pä Nytt” (The New News – Norwegian TV’s version of Have I Got News For You) is sung in English. The album’s other wild card is a cover of Sixties Norwegian band The Pussycats’ “Why Have We to Wait”.

After soaking up music like a sponge, Razika delight in reassembling it. The charming Program 91 should open a few doors outside Norway.

Visit Kieron Tyler’s blog

• Find Program 91 on Amazon

• Download Program 91 from iTunes

Watch Razika perform “Why Have We to Wait”

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