Peace Or Love

Even after a 12-year absence, Norway’s Kings of Convenience haven’t had a change of heart concerning the perils of love. As the album’s title suggests, peace and love can’t simply coexist when it relates to matters of the heart. But contrary to these fairly pessimistic acoustic cuts, Eirik Glambek Bøe and Erlend Øye's relationship as songwriters feels very much alive. The time and space they gave each other to refine these love-averse confessions—five years, to be exact—paid dividends, whether they’re gently harmonizing over elegant acoustic fingerpicking about the one who got away (“Comb My Hair”), the one who’s about to leave (“Rocky Trail”), or the one who should stay away (“Angel”). “Love is not true/Love is pain,” they sing alongside Canadian singer-songwriter Feist (who guests on two tracks) on the soothing yet bleak lullaby “Love Is a Lonely Thing.” Songs this downcast shouldn't have the right to sound this gorgeous.