Life is the second of Sverre Knut Johansen's recent download-releases. The album features 6 tracks clocking in at 37 minutes. Opening track Life is in the melodc vein, not too different from what can be heard on other albums by the composer, like Distant Shore and Planets. It also reminded me slightly of Hollywood film composer Harry Gregson-Williams' more low-key efforts. Track 2 Biosphere is restless and vibrant, a rather original and peculiar sound, but a bit hard to detect or follow through a melody line here. The next track Creation features nature sounds from the composer's vicinity in Norway, in addition to laidback and relaxing synths, before the composition takes a somewhat surprising turn towards a pompous and rhythmic part near the end. Biophilia starts with twisted voices and sound effects, giving the song a scary and dreamlike sound. Another surprisng thing happens, as the tune goes into a rhythmic, almost techno-infused part. Exciting!
Track 5 is Lightsource which opens with more sounds of nature before a melodic part takes over once more in a track that had fitted onto Planets just nicely. Johansen performs the elctric guitar himself here, and one wonders why it was neccessary to include Eivind Aarset on Planets, as Johansen seems perfectly capable of handling the guitars himself... The album closes with Life/Extinction, which is 3 minutes of almost lounge-like piano-playing.
Well done!

Jon Aanesen ****