Langt, Langt Vekk

Ævestaden are known for their delicate, hypnotic folktronica. Fellow Norwegians Kanaan are a psychedelic rock trio. That the two bands should collaborate is perhaps not so surprising, given that Ævestaden’s Eir Vatn Strøm is the sister of Kanaan’s Ask Vatn Strøm. On first listen, Langt, Langt Vekk (Far, Far Away) sounds like Ævestaden with the addition of electric guitar, bass and drums, but tracks like ‘Habbor og Signe’ are both rockier and more psychedelic than anything Ævestaden has hitherto produced. There’s a risk that this coming together might disappoint both audiences – not heavy enough for Kanaan fans, not folky enough for Ævestaden fans. But it all works beautifully, especially when Ævestaden’s ethereal, layered vocals float atop Kanaan’s weighty drumbeat on ‘Farvel.’ An experiment – and a successful one.