LARS FREDRIK FRØISLIE – Gamle Mester

RELEASE YEAR: 2025
BAND URL: https://larsfredrikfroislie.bandcamp.com/album/gamle-mester

The immensely talented Lars Fredrik Frøislie of Wobbler fame released one of the most delightful and perfectly evocative albums of 2023, namely the stunning Fire Fortellinger. The follow-up titled Gamle Mester landed on my desk a few days ago, and after multiple spins I can safely conclude and inform you that it serves as the perfect successor to the aforementioned gem from two years ago. With its roots firmly planted in early seventies prog rock, Gamle Mester delivers analogue magic, warmth, and plenty of soul. Melancholy and elegant, exhilarating and epic, heartfelt and moving, the record is simply overflowing with genuine passion and an authentic love for songs and melodies that transport the listener elsewhere. Although inspired by the sounds and musical tropes of old, Frøislie adds his own style and leaves his sonic footprint on everything on the disc, which entails that it feels both familiar and new somehow. Influenced by the past but looking to the future – does that make sense?

Fire Fortellinger was arguably more instantly accessible and catchy than Lars Fredrik’s latest effort is, but if you devote the proper amount of time to the well-composed work and dive deep into its colorful content, you will see that it is just as good and rewarding as the 2023 opus is – it just requires a wee bit more from the listener. Gamle Mester is compelling and offers treats aplenty as well as a unique sense of solace and escapism. Prog rock excellence incarnate.

Gamle Mester will be released by Karisma Records on May 9.