You may know Erlend Øye from Kings of Convenience. The Berlin-based Norwegian singer has been a huge figure in the electronic music scene for years, but with Whitest Boy Alive, his new project with German DJ Marcin Oez, Erlend's gone the opposite route, creating stripped down rock music without layering, editing or effects. The simple combination of drums, bass, guitar and Erlend's breezy, yet intimate voice create a sound that is both funky and melancholy. A truly original pop band making the simplest sounding dance songs in the most organic way, this is one of the best rock albums you will hear this year.