W: Barry Gok I: Haavard Goa

Stavanger based noise-rock band Poor Bambi will release their highly anticipated debut album, 'Skyscrapers Soaring, Yet We’re Drowning' on February 6th.

Stavanger has long been a breeding ground for innovative music, but with the release of Skyscrapers Soaring, Yet We’re Drowning, Poor Bambi has signalled the arrival of a new heavy-hitter in the Norwegian alternative scene. Following a string of successful singles that caught the attention of major international tastemakers like KEXP and Absolute Radio, the trio—Sarah Hestness, Espen Eidem, and Simen Amundrud—deliver a debut that is as sonically expansive as its title suggests. It is a record that balances the raw, jagged edges of noise-rock with a polished, cinematic atmosphere that feels remarkably mature for a debut.

The chemistry between the band members is the engine that drives this project forward. Sarah Hestness and Espen Eidem weave a complex tapestry of guitar work that fluctuates between shimmering, ethereal melodies and sudden, violent outbursts of feedback. Underpinning this is Simen Amundrud’s drumming, which provides more than just a beat; it acts as a rhythmic architecture, shifting from tribal urgency to a cold, industrial precision. Hestness’s vocal performance is particularly striking, moving effortlessly from an introspective whisper to a commanding presence that cuts through the wall of sound with visceral emotion.

Thematic depth is where the album truly finds its resonance. The title itself serves as a metaphor for the modern human condition—the feeling of being dwarfed by our own progress and struggling for breath in an increasingly vertical, crowded world. Throughout the tracklist, the band explores these "soaring highs and introspective lows," creating a sonic landscape that feels like a midnight walk through a rain-slicked metropolis. There is a persistent sense of tension and release, a "push-pull" dynamic that keeps the listener submerged in the band's specific brand of controlled chaos.

Skyscrapers Soaring, Yet We’re Drowning is a confident, cohesive statement that proves Poor Bambi is far more than just a "buzz band." They have managed to capture the frantic energy of their live tours and the experimental spirit of their early singles, distilling them into a journey that is both abrasive and beautiful. By the time the final notes fade, it is clear that Poor Bambi has not only lived up to the anticipation but has set a dauntingly high bar for the rest of the year’s rock releases.