Album Review: In Elke Haven by Paula Dennis
Released in 1971, In Elke Haven is a gem from the Dutch pop scene that still holds up today. This Telstar Records release showcases Paula Dennis’s vocal prowess with an understated charm that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly raw. It's not perfect—some tracks feel a bit dated—but it's got this earnest quality that makes you want to give it another spin.
The standout track for me has to be "Hij Zei....". There’s something about how Paula delivers those opening lines—it grabs your attention right away. The melody isn’t overly complicated, but her voice carries so much emotion, like she’s telling you a story over coffee. You can almost picture her sitting there, pouring her heart out. And honestly? That simplicity works wonders. It sticks with you because it doesn’t try too hard.
Then there’s the title track, "In Elke Haven...". If “Hij Zei” is intimate storytelling, this one feels more cinematic. The arrangement builds slowly, layering strings and piano until it swells into this big, sweeping moment. It’s dramatic without being cheesy, which is harder than it sounds. I found myself humming it hours later, even though I couldn’t quite recall all the lyrics (my Dutch isn’t great). Still, it left an impression.
What strikes me most about this album is its authenticity. Back then, artists weren’t as polished as they are now—you hear little imperfections here and there, but instead of detracting, they make it real. Like, yeah, this was someone just doing their thing in a studio decades ago, trying to connect.
Here’s the unexpected part: listening to In Elke Haven made me realize how rare albums like this are nowadays. We’re so caught up in chasing perfection that we forget music can also just be... human. It’s comforting, in a weird way. So if you stumble across this record at a flea market or online, pick it up. Not everything needs to sound like it was made yesterday to matter. Sometimes, the cracks are where the light gets in.
