Ane Brun - I Thought We Were The Same (2026)
An elegant and emotionally compelling collection of alternative pop compositions, combining delicate electronic arrangements, atmospheric synthesizers and Ane Brun's immediately recognisable vocal performances. Moving further away from her acoustic folk origins, the Norwegian singer explores trust, betrayal and personal reconstruction through eleven carefully produced songs, including collaborations with Röyksopp, ARY and Emilie Nicolas. I particularly appreciate the intimate vocal delivery, the sophisticated electronic textures and the subtle emotional progression, especially on "Hold Me", "Eat the Fruit" and "Can We Go Back". Although some compositions rely more on atmosphere than memorable melodies, the consistency of the songwriting and the sincerity of the performances make I Thought We Were the Same a very strong and rewarding album.
With I Thought We Were the Same, Ane Brun returns with her first collection of newly written songs in six years, exploring the consequences of discovering that someone close doesn't necessarily share the same values or understanding of the world. The album deals with trust, disappointment, emotional distance and the possibility of rebuilding relationships after betrayal. I appreciate the way Brun approaches these subjects without excessive sentimentality, allowing vulnerability and uncertainty to emerge through relatively direct lyrics. The emotional perspective feels mature and personal, giving the record a coherence that extends beyond its individual compositions.
The musical direction is also particularly appealing. Brun continues the electronic experimentation introduced on After the Great Storm, combining atmospheric synthesizers, understated beats, piano and occasional acoustic textures. I appreciate the balance between modern production and the more intimate character of her earlier songwriting. The electronic arrangements frequently introduce additional depth without overwhelming the melodies, while the spacious production allows her distinctive voice to remain central. This combination gives the album a recognisable personality, particularly when the electronic elements reinforce the emotional character of the songs.
"Hold Me", featuring ARY, is one of the album's most convincing compositions. The combination of delicate piano, electronic rhythms and expressive vocals creates an appealing relationship between emotional vulnerability and rhythmic movement. I particularly appreciate the gradual development of the arrangement, which allows the melody to establish itself before introducing additional instrumental layers. The collaboration feels natural, and the contrast between the two vocal performances adds an interesting dimension without distracting from the song.
"Eat the Fruit", featuring Röyksopp, is probably my favourite track. Its understated electronic groove and atmospheric synthesizers provide a particularly effective setting for Brun's fragile vocal delivery. I appreciate how the colder electronic production contrasts with the warmth of her voice, creating an appealing sense of tension. The rhythm gives the song more movement than some of the surrounding compositions, while the melodic structure remains sufficiently memorable to justify repeated listening. The collaboration is particularly successful because neither artist seems to compromise their musical identity.
"How Can I Hold Your Hand", featuring Emilie Nicolas, introduces another interesting vocal combination. I appreciate its ethereal character and the natural interaction between the two singers, particularly during the more restrained passages. "Two in This Story" offers a more intimate perspective, with its reflections on separation and reconciliation providing one of the album's more emotionally direct moments. Both compositions demonstrate Brun's ability to communicate complex emotional situations through relatively simple melodic structures, although their understated arrangements occasionally make them less immediately distinctive than the stronger electronic material.
"Can We Go Back" is another highlight, gradually developing from a restrained introduction towards a more expansive and cinematic arrangement. I particularly appreciate its emotional progression, which feels naturally connected to the lyrical subject rather than imposed through production. "Shock Treatment" introduces a more unusual alternative pop approach, while the closing "In These Waters" returns to the album's introspective atmosphere. The sequencing works particularly well, allowing the emotional character to evolve without relying on exaggerated contrasts or dramatic conclusions.
The production is one of the album's strongest elements. The electronic textures are detailed and carefully balanced, while the acoustic instruments retain enough presence to preserve the warmth of Brun's musical identity. I particularly appreciate the way the collaborations introduce different sonic perspectives without making the record feel fragmented. The arrangements frequently contain subtle instrumental details that become more apparent through repeated listening, giving the music a depth that isn't always immediately obvious.
Brun's vocal performances are equally convincing. Her distinctive timbre and restrained delivery communicate vulnerability without requiring excessive theatricality, and she seems particularly comfortable allowing small changes in phrasing or intensity to carry the emotional weight of a composition. I appreciate this approach because it gives the music a genuine sense of intimacy, even when surrounded by sophisticated electronic production. The voice remains the album's emotional centre, and its character frequently elevates relatively simple melodic ideas.
My main reservation concerns the occasional uniformity of the arrangements. The album concentrates on a relatively narrow emotional territory, with atmospheric synthesizers, restrained percussion and melancholic vocals appearing throughout. This creates coherence, but some compositions would benefit from greater rhythmic or melodic contrast. I also find a few songs more appealing for their production than their underlying songwriting, particularly when the melodies remain understated. However, these limitations are relatively minor within an album that maintains a consistently convincing emotional character.
The thematic development is particularly effective. Brun explores betrayal and emotional uncertainty without reducing the experience to conventional romantic disappointment. The lyrics suggest a gradual reconstruction of personal identity, where accepting that another person sees the world differently becomes part of understanding oneself. I appreciate the absence of easy resolution, particularly because the music reflects this uncertainty through restrained arrangements and subtle changes in atmosphere.
There is also an interesting balance between accessibility and experimentation. The collaboration with Röyksopp introduces a more immediate electronic character, while the quieter compositions preserve the intimacy associated with Brun's earlier work. I find this combination particularly successful because the different musical approaches reinforce one another rather than competing for attention. The result is an album that feels contemporary without losing the personality that has always distinguished her songwriting.
Ultimately, I Thought We Were the Same is a very strong alternative pop album whose emotional sincerity, distinctive vocal performances and sophisticated production make it particularly rewarding. I appreciate the natural integration of electronic textures, the quality of the collaborations and the coherent lyrical perspective. "Eat the Fruit", "Hold Me" and "Can We Go Back" provide particularly convincing examples of Brun's ability to combine intimate songwriting with more elaborate arrangements. Although some compositions remain relatively understated and the emotional atmosphere occasionally becomes uniform, the album contains enough memorable melodies and expressive performances to justify repeated listening. There is genuine beauty, musical intelligence and considerable emotional depth here, making this one of Brun's more convincing recent releases.
70/100
Playing time: 00:46:47
❤️ Favourite track: "Eat the Fruit"
✚ Distinctive and emotionally expressive vocal performances, communicating vulnerability with remarkable subtlety and sincerity
✚ Elegant electronic production and particularly successful collaborations with Röyksopp, ARY and Emilie Nicolas
✚ Coherent songwriting and several memorable compositions, especially "Eat the Fruit", "Hold Me" and "Can We Go Back"
– Relatively uniform emotional atmosphere and restrained arrangements occasionally limit the contrast between compositions
– Some songs rely more heavily on sophisticated electronic textures than on particularly distinctive melodies
– A few quieter passages could benefit from greater rhythmic variation and more substantial musical development
Genre: Art Pop
Country: Norway
Final Verdict: 70% (Very Good Album)
Yearly Ranking: 76th / 826
Highlight: Eat the Fruit
Made me think of:
Susanne Sundfør
Aurora
Agnes Obel
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