ber — MUSIC — Unclear Magazine

by lauren kovolenko

Good, Like It Should Be is a sonically charged album with joyous moments, but also melancholic tone. With each listen, find yourself deeply intertwined with Ber’s lyrics about life and what it means to, well, live. Upon first listen, I was hooked instantly. Whether it was the beats and sounds of the pop focused indie tracks or the lyrics, Ber has something to appeal to everyone.

The first track opens the album with an upbeat vibe and takes you straight into her life story. She explores themes of love and what is true or real. “Cool, Boy” is an exciting track about trying too hard… with super quirky lyrics. “Don’t act so cool boy, get your ass up and dance!” We did just that. You can’t help yourself!

Metaphors fly throughout this album—maintaining interest through each track. This album is an extremely fun listen. You can’t help but bop your head and shake your hands in the air.

“Who’s This?” is a story of being yourself while faced with adversity. Themes like this trickle through the whole project with each proceeding track.

Halfway through the project shows an album slow down. With more guitar and soft pacing, Ber continues.

“Hey, Bluebird” has some beautifully large moments about respecting yourself and choosing yourself at the end of the day. This song almost feels like a big sister note to yourself. It’s a great reminder we all need when we are, and can be, too harsh on ourselves. The next songs come with themes of proving yourself to a potential love interest, to take a chance on yourself.

“Give It All Away” is a personal favorite of mine. This song has themes that I think many of us can relate to. Finding it tough to live in a society which promotes a culture of putting others wishes first before our own personal health. Debating what’s important or not so much.

At this point in the album, the song melodies are picking up, but the lyrics continue with the same depth we started with. It’s no doubt that Ber is a great storyteller, and extremely relatable. “Next To Me” most definitely belongs in the next coming of age romance movie. Why do opposites attract? A story as old as time.

The rest of the album continues with some more conversations about relationships: what they mean; and what they could turn into. The end track, same as the album title, is a perfect end credit scene.

If there’s anything this album does is make you feel something. An emotion of sadness, longing, or just the opposite—spontaneity or excitement for what the future holds. It’s an extremely dancey album for more reasons than one. Whether you want to feel good, or feel something — this is your album. As a first time listener of Ber, I most definitely am glad to have found this album and enjoyed her talents provided.

She’s going places.

by kaylee pickens

In 2022, Unclear had the pleasure of speaking with the rising artist to discuss tour, new music, and the evolution of Ber. The singer-songwriter is best known for “Feels So Easy,” “Meant to Be,” and “Superspreader,” and we’re excited for new music. With the release of her anticipated EP, Halfway, your favorite Minnesota native is back at it again. Berit Dybing, AKA Ber, is here to claim her spot as praise rains in about her latest body of work. With tracks like, “Boys Who Kiss You In Their Car” and “Slutphase,” fans are in for a treat as Ber bares her emotions in this 6-song EP.

“Is it a slut phase or is it a Band-aid?” We’re off to the races with the opening track, “Slutphase.” The 2-minute anthem takes you for a ride as you go through Ber’s stream of consciousness, where she’s reliving memories and questioning her reality. “As if I’m getting over / All of the things that I’m not really over,” Ber holds a mirror to herself in the chorus, calling out her inconsistencies in her healing. As the track continues, Ber takes us on her dates with men like, Jonah, Jacob, and Jackson. She tells herself, “Everybody needs a slut phase,” as she finds herself missing her ex. In a fun-loving video where she’s baking and dancing around her kitchen, the “Slutphase” music video is everything you’re looking for. The opener fades and pushes you into, “Boys Who Kiss You In Their Car.”

Need a feel-good song to unapologetically dance around to? “Boys Who Kiss You In Their Car” is just the thing. Your new favorite track begins with a rhythmic guitar that immediately grabs your attention. The track debuted late 2022, with critics crediting Ber’s “feisty side” and her “creativity,” this song is one for the ages. Ber paints quite the picture with, “It’s always the boys with the beanies / It’s always the ones with the broken hearts,” emphasizing that it’s not just the guy, but the type of guy he is. “They only type in lowercase / They never take you to their place / They tell you they could love you,” Ber’s criticism flows effortlessly, reminding us that they’re just the boys that kiss you in their car.

We know that “Superspreader” made its way into your library last year. The 3-minute track, released in early August, was accompanied by a short film music video just shortly after. The plucking of guitar strings is melancholy as the song opens. With lyrics like, “Because I’m selfish / It’s true / I’m holding on, I’m holding on to you,” Ber gets transparent with heartache and needing closure. Ber got real about the inspiration behind this song, noting her move from the U.K. back to the States, and being ghosted during that time. “Superspreader” garnered immense praise upon its release, where fans and critics were applauding her vulnerability.

The title track of the EP (and, the mid-point) is notably the hidden gem of this project. “Halfway good, halfway bad / Halfway really f**king mad,” Ber lets it out in this bare-it-all track. With lyrics like, “I’m fine / But I’m also really not,” the well-versed songwriter highlights that healing isn’t a linear process. “Halfway” acts as a moment of hope, with lyrics like “Halfway back to myself,” Ber reminds herself that she’s almost there. With a “glass half full” mentality, the fourth track leads us into “Your Internet Sucks.”

“I know it’s been nine months since we’ve spoken,” Ber pens this open letter so effortlessly as she breaks her silence. People always tell you to take the high road, but Ber has had enough, and we don’t blame her. With a resounding “And when you’re playing Fortnite / I hope your internet sucks,” she doesn’t look back as she gives a virtual middle finger. The short, not-so love letter, is painted with painful memories of him texting his ex and missing the way things were. From wishing he’d burn his lips while drinking coffee to getting cold take out, Ber holds nothing back. And we’re soon on to the next with the final track, “Over You.”

Has it felt like you’ve been on a 6-step healing journey? While it may not be as easy as singing along to these songs, Ber’s got just the thing for when you’re ready to move on. “I don’t wanna know what you’re listening to / I don’t wanna know that you bought some new shoes,” Ber starts her final track feeling cutthroat. With lyrics like, “No hard feelings, none of that s**t,” Ber emphasizes that not only does she want to be over the heartbreak, but she also wants to be over him. The track weaves through Ber incessantly being reminded of her ex and ends with her repeating, “I just wanna be over you.” Relatable, right?

We can’t get enough of Halfway and we hope you can’t either. Perfectly arranged, this EP showcases Ber’s unbeatable talent as a singer-songwriter. Ber’s Halfway Across America tour kicks off March 15th in Chicago, IL. Featuring special guest, Max Leone, tickets to Ber’s upcoming tour are available now! You can find her on Instagram (@HeyThereItsBer) to stay up to date on new music, tour, and much more! Halfway is available now where you stream music!