ALBUM REVIEW: Lysbærer – Nanna Barslev
Frontwoman for HULDRE, ASYNJE, GNY and ÆTTTIR, NANNA BARSLEV is no newcomer to the world of Nordic atmospheric music. On her first solo record Lysbærer, there’s an unmistakable mastery of her craft.
Lysbærer feels like one meditative state right from its opening moments on Skjoldmø, which sets the scene. This record feels like watching a wild animal, appreciating all its strength and alienness to our busy, modern lives, while still being dangerous and unfamiliar. It’s a great assembly of beautiful melodies, both instrumentally and vocally, and NANNA BARSLEV’s vision is clear and fully realised.
With moments of respite like Askr or Sten, we find quiet moments of reflection and calm amid the rushing world around us. Likewise, the chanting and harmonic energy of the surrounding tracks has a calming and meditative feel.
If you’re looking for what the entrancing power of NANNA BARSLEV can do, tracks like Jagtmarker will have you in a meditative state in moments, utterly captivated by the low drone of the strings and the majesty of her voice. The spine-tingling edge she brings to her music, often in moments utterly unencumbered by lyrics, is breath-taking.
With all folk music, the natural elements are an important component of the music. The tactile sounds of fluttering sticks in Jagtmarker and of water in Rhimfaxe, the reed instruments and rasp of droning strings, the warmth of the percussion, the harmony of voices collected together to compliment and combine into a well-crafted, collaborative piece of music all make for a very grounded record.
That’s not to say that the involvement of all instruments themselves aren’t worth mentioning. Nothing is overdone on Lysbærer; it’s a record that enjoys adding smatterings of various tangible sounds, and regardless of any minor electronically added layers, or just an assortment of unidentifiable sounds like on Sunna Sol, they all amount to a deeply meaningful experience through music.
It’s a well-balanced record, with serene highs beating into a wild and euphoric crescendo. There are of course the subdued moments, the quiet lows like title track Lysbærer which pulls you into a tip-tapping percussive patter and unravels in swells of strings and whispering a chorus of voices under NANNA BARSLEV’s commanding voice.
A record that feels warm, mysterious and inviting, Lysbærer is both a comforting and revitalising listen. Any neo-folk and Nordic atmospheric fan will appreciate the craft and the mesmerising journey NANNA BARSLEV takes you on.
Rating: 8/10
Lysbærer is set for release on March 18th via By Norse Music.
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