Tuesday, December 16, 2008

finland, oh how i love thee...


and all the fucking weird folk music you sprout. it must be something about desolate winter landscapes that makes people want to record such personal and beautifully strange sounds.

Islaja is one of my favorite artists coming from the current crop of finnish free-folkers. being one of the more prominent voices from the scene, male or female, she crafts an otherworldly brand of folk that sounds as if fursaxa were backed by an orchestra playing children's instruments. this album, "Palaa Aurinkoon," is much more of a serious affair, unlike her cd "Meritie" which is much more light-hearted and fun seeming. this is dark, wistful, and lonesome music, much like the wintery lands she hails from. truly, this snow angel is capable of something most musicians wish to achieve: true catharsis and emotional range. her heart is in all of these songs, and it makes me want to cry a little bit.

absolutely stunning and crystalline in it's beauty, this album is the perfect soundtrack for a bitter cold cloudless winter's day. wonderful.

Islaja - Palaa Aurinkoon
http://www.mediafire.com/?z3mhyxn0q4m

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