
Music Critic Liza Glushak interviews and reviews Doif about his EP, I’m All Ears, sharing unheard insights from the artist on the project
In a time when people’s attention spans are constantly shrinking and the music scene is ever-expanding, for an artist to stand out it is important to create a sound that is unique and unexpected. I’m All Ears, Andreas Lanejord’s first EP under his solo act ‘Doif’, was released on November 22 2024 under the Norwegian independent record label Propeller Recordings. Having been a permanent member of Anna Of The North’s band for the past six years as well as a successful producer, he is a seasoned musician, and this EP is a signifier of his talent. Experimenting with different soundscapes, instruments, and tone, I’m All Ears is a journey through melancholy, dance, and atmospheric chill.
Discovering Doif’s sound
Doif grew up in a small village in the North of Norway, which is something he believes played a part in his unconventional sound:
‘I really enjoy contrast, such as adding an organic-sounding instrument to a stricter beat, or pairing uplifting beats to melancholic lyrics and vice versa. But it’s not very often that I try to analyse why I do something, it’s just a part of me. It might be growing up in a very nature-friendly place.’
In terms of his music-making process, Doif usually starts off with making instrumentals and later adding on lyrics. He also draws on the real world, at times recording the sounds on the street to incorporate them into the melody before writing chords on top.
…he is a seasoned musician, and this EP is a signifier of his talent.
He began writing music immediately after receiving his first acoustic guitar at only eleven years old, and by high school Doif was sure that music would be a central part of his life. Being a long-standing fan of Gorillaz, he is inspired by artists that do not limit themselves to a singular style. He produces most of his music himself and is clearly very independent:
‘I have made collaborations with friends whose art I really respect, but I think I’m too narcissistic to let it all go to somebody and share a vision. However, I have friends in Oslo who are amazing jazz musicians and their music vibe and respect for the art deeply inspires me.’
Inspiration behind the EP
The artist attributes the name of the EP to his signature stage look – a pair of oversized rubber ears that were inspired by the style of the late director David Lynch. Doif explains the significance of the ears:
‘I’m a very introverted guy, so if there is some extroversion visually it puts some sort of energy into the performance.’
The songs themselves are a result of a conflicting love story. Doif highlights a point that many artists will surely relate to:
‘I find it easier to write when I’m feeling upset, I think frustration is cool [laughs]. Melancholic music can hit people in a very special way. During COVID, a woman in her forties that I was working with expressed to me that she connected very deeply to an older song of mine, ‘Shine’, and that it helped her through very difficult times.’
The mixing pot of ideas is reflected in the album, as the artist mixes sounds, instruments and genres.
The EP consists of five songs, starting off with the simplest and most relaxed track, ‘Colorblind’. The song is primarily acoustic, accompanied with Doif’s somewhat monotone singing. This track is a slow invitation into the EP, and is the simplest in terms of its composition. After listening to the whole EP, this song clearly stood out separate from the rest – a difference which Doif confirms:
‘This song was a project during COVID, I started playing on a nylon-string acoustic guitar. The initial idea was to release another EP which would include ‘Colorblind’. But now I have other ideas – I’m always changing my mind.’
The mixing pot of ideas is reflected in the album, as the artist mixes sounds, instruments and genres. He admits that working in Norway, this isn’t always a style that invites positive reactions and he is eager to push back against conformity:
‘I want to show that it’s not too dangerous to stick out. People here are very hesitant to accept what they don’t understand, they find it easier when they can just say “Oh, he sounds like Mac DeMarco” and that’s it. But I try to not care what people think.’
Overall, the songs share a similar mood that give the artist a sense of distinctness, but simultaneously the varied tempo of the tracks create a pleasant variety.
The songs grow in their complexity throughout the EP, and the second track, ‘Red Heat Heaven’, contrasts the first significantly as it is a true showcase of Doif’s range. The song premiered a month before the full EP came out, and centers around the theme of toxicity in love. Mirroring the tumultuousness of such relationships, the instrumentals vary in tempo and feeling, with the end transitioning into a heavier, alternative sound almost reminiscent of the shoegaze genre. The song then ends with dreamy, trance-like synth, which by the end of the EP the listener can acknowledge as characteristic to Doif.
Overall, the songs share a similar mood that give the artist a sense of distinctness, but simultaneously the varied tempo of the tracks create a pleasant variety. A song that stood out especially was ‘Bangkok’, which starts off with a slow piano instrumental that establishes a sense of mystery in the song, best comparable to Joji. The beauty lies in the song’s ability to take the listener through different atmospheric landscapes, even incorporating the saxophone towards the end. This track felt like a compositional masterpiece.
Doif will continue to push the boundaries of expectation and show the world that art exists to be boundless.
What to expect next
Despite the range of instruments that complete this EP, Doif is looking forward to relying on simplicity for his upcoming music.
‘My plan now is to narrow down my concentration and not fill the production with too many sounds and instruments, and rather make the best out of fewer ingredients. Like a good chef in the kitchen, they don’t need fifteen elements, they have four and make magic. With how short people’s attention span is getting, I think it’s part of the game to consistently release, and I want to overthink less.’
We can clearly expect more music from him coming out in the very near future, as Doif will continue to push the boundaries of expectation and show the world that art exists to be boundless.
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