Les Impressions

Velvety soft, summer-warm neo-soul with Norwegian Les Imprimés

Norwegian Les Imprimés makes velvety, summer-night-warm neo-soul. With shimmering synths, whammy guitar and seductive drum productions, Morten Martsen, who is behind the name Les Imprimés, draws on references to several decades and genre. Among them are the doo-wop of the 50s, the soul of the 60s and 70s, the airy textures of the 80s, and the alt-rock aesthetic of the 90s and 00s. The result is an English-language musical play set out in soothing rhythms that will give any indie lover soft knees.

Morten Martsen has worked behind the scenes as a producer for more than 20 years, but in 2023 released his debut album Rêverie under the artist name Les Imprimés. Second album, Fadin Forward, released this year, continues the debut's warm kip with its hat to soul's great decades, but this time draws on heavier references from hip-hop's groove and melodies.

The result is an album that hides its melancholy-heavy textual universe in bright, daydreaming productions. For example, on Fadin Forward's closing number “Paradise”. Here, the soundside soars with a gentle calm inspired by the Hawaiian soul of the 50s, while Morten Martsen in the lyrics struggles with the darkness of grief.

Audiences can look forward to an evening of contrasts when Les Imprimés fills the Ideal Bar with neo-soul, warm productions and immersive lyrics.