One of my favorite musical discoveries of the decade was Norwegian sensation Annie, whose debut album Anniemal still ranks among my top 5 albums of the decade and whose uplifting messages triumphing over tragedy and filtered through some of the best pop music ever recorded helped me get through some rough times. Since then, however, she hasn't released a proper follow-up album due to label disputes. There have been singles here and there ("Wedding", "The Crush"), but it seems that Annie is ready to storm back into the public consciousness with Don't Stop.

This album has been a long time in the making. The original version was due to be released on Island records last year, led off by the snappy single "I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me". Everything seemed to be peachy keen, with a mutual interview with Sam Sparro comissioned as well as an album megamix, sending fans into a frenzy! A live duet with Sam Sparro performing a mash-up of his hit "Black and Gold" and her indie favorite "Heartbeat" only heightened the excitement.



A video competition was held in which the creator of the winning submission was to be included in the video for follow-up single "My Love Is Better", featuring Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand fame on guitar. However, the competition fizzled out without any real response. Then came a fabulous cover of Stacey Q's "Two of Hearts" to whet our appetites while we waited. It became clear that the planned release was not happening, and the year ended with fans worried that Don't Stop (or any album, for that matter) may never emerge. Indeed, Annie was dropped by Island.




However, in spite of all of the drawbacks, 2009 looks set to be a good year for Miss Strand. Finding an independent label (Pleasure Masters) who understood Annie's unique angle. May brought her best single since the Anniemal days in the brilliant dance track "Anthonio", which infused a melancholy resonance in the midst of the swirling synths, as she depicts the tale of a fleeting romance gone sour as her lothario left her without any communication but with a baby in tow.



That last line has to be one of the most stunning to come out of 2009. Even more stunning, however, is that the real subject of the song released an answer record on the same label. This truly bizarre set of twin singles strikes me as nothing short of genius.



The single reignited critical interest in Annie, and she finished off work on the new version of Don't Stop, which is now due for release on October 19th in the UK and November 17th in the US, led off by the brilliant single "Songs Remind Me of You", which features one of the BEST bridges I've heard in a pop song in a long, long time, before launching into a truly epic dancefloor-stomper of a chorus. Judge for yourself!





Here's the new tracklist for the album:

1. Hey Annie
2. My Love Is Better
3. Bad Times
4. Don't Stop
5. I Don't Like Your Band
6. Songs Remind Me of You
7. Marie Cherie
8. Take You Home
9. The Breakfast Song
10. Loco
11. When the Night
12. Heaven and Hell

Gone are "Sweet", "I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me" and "I Can't Let Go". A tour is in the making, and Annie is recording the follow-up record to Don't Stop as well!

I loved her album anniemal.

purpledusk971 said:

It was so great, wasn't it? I'm hoping Don't Stop will be just as good! I've avoided the leak of the original album, but it'll be hard to hold out for another few months.

Whoa! Great information!

I really like Annie, so I'm definitely anxious to hear it all. I was worried that she was going to be one of those cool new artists that turns out to be a one album wonder

thekidsgirl said:

I was worried there for a bit, too. But "Anthonio" and "Songs Remind Me of You" are just stunning, and I'm hoping the album follows suit!

For someone with only one official album, she sure has had a lot of singles.

The Greatest Hit (1999)
I Will Get On (2002)
Anniemal (2003- limited and different from the album version)
Chewing Gum (2004)
Heartbeat (2004)
Happy Without You (2005)
Always Too Late (2005)
The Wedding (2005)
The Crush (2006)
I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me (2008)
Two of Hearts (2008)
Anthonio (2009)
Songs Remind Me of You (2009)

Moonbeam said:

I like "I Know Your Girlfriend Hates Me" but it doesn't necessarily really inspire to get the album so if it's gone, that's OK.

"Anniemal" is such an amazing dance pop record. All the songs have a different flavor. I almost thought it was going to be a real hit here, but sadly it was just in the dance section (and know of days, you're lucky if stores with a dance section are even open....Media Play isn't anymore and that's where I bought it). Looking forward to the new album but not sure why "Antonio" isn't on there. It's great.

VinnyM27 said:

Annie said that "Anthonio" was just for the fans. It would be great on an album, but I can see that it's so specific that it might work better on its own.

Moonbeam said:

It is one of the better songs I've heard from her recent efforts. I'm kind of glad that they seemed to have started over although I still might seek out "I Know Your Girlfriend Hates Me" on Mp3.

Moonbeam said:

Wow, look at all those. I should track them down. I bet it would make a nice comp.

VinnyM27 said:

I totally agree. I'm sure I'll make my own version of Don't Stop with everything that's missing.

sextonseven said:

Yeah, a compilation like this would include more songs than her one studio album.

Moonbeam said:

Anyone know where I can buy these tracks? I tried 7digital but didn't even see her there (maybe it's confused by putting "Annie" in there but I also tried "I Know Your Girlfriend Hates Me".

VinnyM27 said:

"Anthonio" and its B-side "Ferret Summer" are available through iTunes. So is "Songs Remind Me of You". Try "I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me"- very Prince-like title.

An unexpected video for "Songs Remind Me of You" has emerged!



Given that there is no budget, it's a memorable, effective video. Cheap, but awesome!