Norwegian Les Imprimés make 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 genres. Among them are 50s doo-wop, 60s and 70s soul, 80s airy textures and 90s and 00s alt-rock aesthetics. The result is an English-language musical spectacle in soothing rhythms that will make any indie lover go weak at the knees.

Morten Martsen has worked behind the scenes as a producer for more than 20 years, but released his debut album in 2023. Reverie under the artist name Les Imprimés. Second album, Fadin Forward, which was released this year, continues the warm tone of the debut with a nod to the great decades of soul, but this time draws on heavier references from the grooves and melodies of hip-hop.

The result is an album that hides its melancholy lyrical universe in bright, daydreaming productions. For example, on Fadin Forwards closing track “Paradise”. Here the sound floats with a gentle calm inspired by 50s Hawaiian soul, while Morten Martsen struggles with the darkness of grief in the lyrics.

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