by Dean Wolfe, Prog dog Media released 1985
There’s nothing quite like a debut album arriving alongside a breakout single that becomes a genuine juggernaut. It established this young Norwegian trio on the world stage in June 1985.
I bought Hunting High and Low on cassette as a teenager. Take On Me, their first single, is an irresistible synth-pop track that has held up remarkably well. For me, it still carries a strong sense of optimism.
There are four other standout songs on the album, though the remaining five don’t quite move the needle in the same way. That’s easy enough to forgive—very few bands arrive fully formed on a first record.
The title track, Hunting High and Low, is a passionate, string-driven ballad with carefully shaped buildups and a strong vocal performance from Morten Harket. His voice is distinctive: controlled and expressive when restrained, but capable of becoming almost overwhelming when fully released.
Living a Boy’s Adventure Tale is a more subdued, slightly darker track—almost Cure-like in its mood—with a sweeping chorus. Harket also leans further into his falsetto here. On a purely production note, the snare sound is excellent.
The Sun Always Shines on TV hits with real impact. Outside of Take On Me, it’s arguably the album’s defining moment and carries much of its overall weight. The intro alone is iconic. Strong melody, strong performance—everything feels fully realised. Without it, the album might have been easier to dismiss as a one-off success.
Stand and Face the Rain, the closing track, is also solid, with interesting melodic turns, layered backing vocals, and a synth texture that leans into something more atmospheric and uneasy.
For whatever reason, A-ha didn’t receive much sustained appreciation in America beyond this album and its follow-up, which feels like a missed opportunity in hindsight.
PROG DOG SCORE: 3.5 / 5 dog bones.
A key 80s synth-pop record—uneven, but anchored by several major tracks that still carry weight.
