Vilnes – A Million Smiles (2021)
Working under the moniker Vilnes, singer-songwriter Eivind Vilnes is sharing his unique sound with the world. The Norwegian artist began releasing original material in 2018 with his well-received single ‘Demons’. Following ‘Demons’, Vilnes continued to turn heads winning Best Male Artist of 2019 by Radio Wigwam. He has also featured on Mystic Sons, Nordic Music Review, Phonograph Me, Hot Lunch Music and Unheard Indie gaining recognition on an international scale. The latest addition to his repertoire is the single ‘A Million Smiles’.
Reminiscent of Jamie Cullum in so many ways, Vilnes’s music is smooth, flowing and laidback. The first release in 2021, ‘A Million Smiles’ is a pop-influenced track with jazz undertones creating a “chilled out” vibe. Not necessarily upbeat, but with a degree of buoyancy, the single is lighthearted but it is not superficial.
‘A Million Smiles’ may touch on issues of frustration, isolation and the monotony of life, yet there is optimism in its lyricism. Instead of focusing on the daily drudge, Vilnes reminds us of the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, most of his tracks recognise the need to live in the moment and enjoy the good things.
What I find most enjoyable about Vilnes is his voice. Rich, warm and velvety smooth, his dulcet tones meld beautifully with the simplistic instrumentation. Oozing honesty, sincerity and sentimentality, ‘A Million Smiles’ looks at the fragility of humans without being too, well, fragile.
All in all, I love the track. Listening to Vilnes is like eating a delicious bar of chocolate and ‘A Million Smiles’ is the caramel filling.
For more from Vilnes check out his Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
